Obesity and Mental Disorders Flashcards
How could mental disorders lead to obesity?
1 - via medications for mental disorders
2 - when people are depressed or anxious, health-related behaviours deteriorate e.g. sleep less, exercise less, eat less healthily
3 - emotional eating: eating triggered by negative emotions rather than physical hunger cues
What does research show about obesity and mental disorders?
Association between obesity and depression/anxiety
No association with substance abuse
Association with PTSD
How could obesity lead to mental disorders?
- Disability and comorbidity - decrease quality of life and lead to fear/depression
- Stigma - obesity is highly stigmatized in society in education, employment, relationships, healthcare, social acitivities
Describe how stigma regarding obesity contributes to mental health disorders.
People feel ashamed of their weight - therefore do not exercise and consume more calories because of stress.
Stigma greater for women
What are unhelpful features of obesity backclash?
E.g. The Heart Attack Grill
Helpful - temporarily accepts people’s weights and improves mental health
Unhelpful - does worse for customers physical health
What is a helpful approach to backlash of obesity?
Health at Every Size
- Promotes mindful eating and enjoyment of food rather than dieting
- Encourages joyful movement rather than exercise
What are some clinical challenges when treating obese patients?
- Obese patients more likely to have mental health disorders + physical health disorders
- Mental disorders & negative emotional states may contribute to overweight e.g. emotional eating
- Obesity may lead to depression through stigma, disability and morbidity
What do we have to do as doctors?
Help overweight patients to be motivated and empowered to lose weight
Be sensitive to the psychological issues around obesity and not make px feel bad about themselves
