People who are obese typically suffer from myriad health problems including depression. Even if not medically diagnosed with clinical depression, overweight people often suffer from low self-esteem and are usually very self-conscious, all of which can lead to depression-like behaviors in their mood. Coupled with a lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits, obese people may feel moody, depressed and stay intentionally isolated. New studies are, however, showing that a medical weight loss program may help improve the mood of overweight people.
Past research has shown that even small amounts of weight loss can result in moderate improvements to mood. New studies show that if people lose weight as a result of lifestyle changes and regular exercise, there can be drastic improvements to their mood and depression even if there is only a small weight loss.
This is good news for obese people in Phoenix and Scottsdale who may be looking for ways to deal with the depression that often accompanies obesity. While Arizona doctors will never advocate lifestyle changes as the only, or even the best way, to deal with clinical depression, they admit that patients who improve their physical health often improve their mental health.
In these studies, lifestyle changes including counseling, diet and exercise over a long period of time made the most improvements to mood. It is suspected that the improved body image, or feelings of self-worth that accompany doing something good for your body, are partly to credit with the boost in mood.
Finding the magical cure to obesity may still be elusive, but it is good news to those who suffer from obesity and depression to know that there is yet another good reason to make healthy lifestyle changes.