Obesity and Your Mental Health

New research is showing that obesity takes as much of a toll on your mental and emotional health as it does on your physical well-being. Some of this comes from self-esteem issues, but social factors have an effect, as well. The effect is profound enough that many people cite mental and emotional factors as reasons for wanting weight loss surgery. Here are a few of the ways that obesity can affect your mental health:

• Obese people are more prone to anxiety. In many people, this can in part be traced to a feeling of social anxiety in situations that require undressing, such as going to the gym or the Hollywood beaches. Many obese people also feel anxiety about fitting in chairs at restaurants and seats in movie theaters and on airplanes. Additionally, most obese people do not get enough physical activity. Exercise can help combat anxiety and without it we lose an important coping tool.
• Obese people are more likely to suffer from depression. Particularly in women, body image and self-esteem are closely linked. Low self-esteem can cause sufferers to develop depression. Feeling like a failure because you have had trouble figuring out how to lose weight can compound the issue. Like anxiety, depression can be eased through physical activity. Efforts toward body acceptance can help, as well.
• Obese people suffer from social discrimination. Many people conclude that those who are obese lack willpower or are lazy. This can lead to discrimination in the workplace and social settings, which can take a toll on your emotional well-being.