Obesity And Mental Disorders

Thousands of years ago, our ancestors used to hunt to survive. Today, with the variety of food everything we crave for arrives at our doors with a simple click of a button without the need to exert any work. Many individuals started to gain weight and grumble about their plumpness. Being obese or overweight can have a major impact on your physiological state, from encountering body shaming to facing depression. Such a controversial topic got its own differential perspectives one in support of the capability of obesity to lead to a mental disorder, while others argue it's not.

The reason behind choosing this topic was program "Human predicament" that was presenting an episode about over weighted people and what they are exposed to in the Egyptian streets . This issue will be discussed from two contrasting perspectives; the global one is that obesity can lead to mental and psychological disorders but on the other side the national perspective disagrees with it.

From the global scope, it's claimed that obesity can lead to mental disorders and suicidal thoughts Lisa M.

Get quality help now

Bella Hamilton

Verified writer

Proficient in: Disorder

5 (234)

“ Very organized ,I enjoyed and Loved every bit of our professional interaction ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Schab, MSW, LCSW, a Chicago-based licensed clinical social worker and author of several books on teen depression and anxiety, observes that in her practice, these two illnesses are the most common emotional health issues connected with obesity. as Several studies have found that a disproportionate number of patients with mental illness are obese compared to the general population .

A study comprising randomly selected outpatients receiving psychiatric care in Maryland found that their body mass index (BMI) was almost twice that of the comparison group", as in February 26, 2016 According the World Health Organization, patients with a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a greater chance of becoming obese in Nov 20 2016.

A 2007 study published in the American Journal of Managed Care found an increased incidence of weight gain and glucose regulation problems in people taking antipsychotic medication metabolic syndrome, which arises from insulin resistance due to increased abdominal fat levels, is especially prevalent in patients with schizophrenia.

Obesity in itself is not a mental illness, but it is closely related to a number of mental health issues. Moreover, the stress of being obese in a thinness-obsessed society can undermine the well-being of even the most psychologically sound minds. .

Overweighed or Obese people have been found many times to have higher rates of depression. For example, David A. Kats, MD and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison assessed quality of life in 2,931 patients with chronic health conditions including obesity. They found that clinical depression was highest in very obese participants (BMI over 35). Other researchers even have known a rise in depressive symptoms in very obese people. Proof from the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study indicates that clinically important depression is three to four times higher in severely obese individuals than in similar non-obese individuals.

An interview was held with a person who was suffering from obesity as their weight was 140 Kgs, with age 17 years old, living in Canada, they mentioned that obesity caused them to be ashamed of seeing people, led to severe depression, lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, and finally it reached to self-harm in the form of self-cutting.

While from the national scope it was assumed that obesity is not that critical to lead to mental disorders According to a study published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine, Egypt has the highest percentage of obese adults worldwide. Around 19 million Egyptians, or 35 percent of the adult population, are obese - the highest rate across the globe. In addition, over 10 percent, or 3.6 million, of children are also considerably overweight, the study reported. A questionnaire was done about do you see that obesity can lead to mental disorders or suicidal thoughts that was the main question I got about 60% saying no it can't lead and I am exaggerating.

Sociologist Huda Zakaria said weight gain have psychiatric aspects because food is one of the easiest methods for humans to escape from their life issues, pains and emotional problems Zakaria said there are many studies indicating that "the proportion of obesity increases among those who face difficult social and economic problems, Zakaria added that fighting obesity in Egypt "requires a clear plan, coordinated efforts and a balanced and enlightened media discourse that can seduce the various social classes because, scientifically, obesity is not a symptom of excessive eating or a sign of abundance. It can be caused by malnutrition or, more specifically, bad nutrition." After doing an interview with a family member who was exposed to obesity was resulted that it's not a must to have mental disorders because of obesity because we can't stop our lives because our shape is different especially if you are a mother or father you are having a responsibility of a whole family financially.

The global evidences were more convincing and reliable than in the national perspective. There were variety of strong facts and values. The evidences used were from trusted, authorized and reliable sources like The World Health Organization and The Mental Health Foundation, which are specialized in conducting medical researches and statistics; they were recent and up to date. There was clear consistency in the evidences used. While for the weaknesses, there wasn't enough primary evidences if compared to the secondary evidences used there was a lack of statistical and numerical data. On the other side in the national perspective, the evidences were up to date too, they were reliable and from trusted sources like the New England Journal of Medicine, that present reliable information there was variety of statistical and numerical data.