The Depression and Body Weight Connection

Does obesity lead to depression or does depression lead to weight gain? It's a chicken and egg relationship.

The mind-body connection is often complex, with our thoughts, memories and emotions influencing physical conditions and vice versa. This is certainly true when it comes to weight issues. Researchers have yet to definitively say whether one causes the other, but study after study supports a link.

Anyone who experiences depression likely has feelings of hopelessness, and over a prolonged period this could lead to self-neglect, including giving up physical activity and healthy cooking. In addition, if you feel despondent, you may turn to food for comfort, and comfort foods are generally not healthy foods.

While it seems plausible and intuitive that depression could cause a person to lose energy and motivation to follow good health habits, some research seems to show that excess body fat may influence depression.