We all know that our weight has a huge impact on our mental health but one thing we often ignore is how our mental health can also impact weight. Sometimes our mental health becomes one of the determinant factors for weight gain, obesity or other weight management issues.
How does your weight impact your mental health?
More often than not, we see young kids as well as adults suffering from mental health issues only because of how much they weigh. Our mental health is precious and adding the extra burden of weight over it can really take a toll on it.
Weight loss and mental health
Going on diets, intentionally inducing vomiting and cutting down on nutritious food just due to ‘fear of weight gain’ leads to feelings of hopelessness. This can further induce depression or more serious mental health issues. Unfortunately, our body weight significantly contributes towards our emotional well-being.
Different people have different ways of dealing with their mental and emotional stress which might lead to irregular eating patterns and increased stress levels. This is often reflected on the weighing scale and in turn, their mental status.
The perfect body
We live in a society that idolises the perfect body. But, what is the perfect body? A slim woman and a well- built man. Anyone who does not fit this “ideal body” is often judged, called names and body shamed. These lead to body image issues that often go deep into adulthood and impact mental health in the worst possible way.
Negative comments that are often associated with those who fall outside this “ideal body” are-
- “You are undesirable and ugly”
- “You are lazy”
- “You do not care about your health”
- “You are unhealthy”
These statements are generally heard from a very young age and it impacts ones mental and emotional well-being. Many of them grow up to develop mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. However, while these mental health challenges can be caused due to depression, they can also become a reason for our weight issues.
How our mental health impacts our weight?
Our emotional state impacts how we feel physically and poor emotional state will reflect poorly on our body. Let us look at how some of the common mental illness causing weight loss and weight gain-
- Depression
It is one of the most common mental health issues that includes feelings of prolonged sadness, loneliness, helplessness, hopelessness and lack of enjoyments in activities that were enjoyed earlier. The person might feel depressed due to their weight and form a negative image about them that pushes them further into depression. However, a person diagnosed with depression might lose their appetite and this might lead to weight loss. Additionally, some might develop unhealthy eating habits as a means to cope with depression and this can cause weight gain. As depression also makes physical activity less enjoyable, it can contribute in increased weight.
- Anxiety
Anxiety is another common issue that has become even more prevalent in today’s day. It often leads to increased fatigue and overall lack of energy. This can cause a reduction in physical activity, leading to weight gain.
- Eating Disorder
Those with eating disorders have a distorted body image and this impacts their unhealthy eating habits. From binge eating to purging, eating disorder are affected by our weight, but also end up impacting or weight.
- Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a very general disorder that consists of mood disorder that involves manic or hypomanic and depressive episodes. It usually results in unwanted weight gain or extra weight loss due to stress in the nerves of the brain.
- ADHD
Those with ADHD are often seen to have an increased weight. Their impulsive nature, erratic eating habits and love for junk food can make it difficult for them to lose weight once gained. Generally, people suffering from ADHD and related mental disorders are unable to have a balanced diet and lifestyle due to their lack of focus and concentration. ADHD is often associated with an increase in weight.
How does obesity cause mental health problems?
- Affecting Quality of Life
Obesity has a huge impact on the emotional, social and mental well being of the person. It has a role in the overall quality of life and can influence how others treat us and how we treat ourselves.
- Psychological Issues
Obesity is often associated with feelings of being unwanted and unloved and this can lead to poor mental health as well.
- Body image
Our body image plays an impart role in affecting our mental health as it can also lower our self-confidence. Feelings of insecurity and body images are common due to obesity and this body image issues further fuel mental health issues.
Tips for striking a good relationship between weight and mental health
- Pursue a Hobby that keeps you distracted and busy
- Don’t compare yourself to others
- Track your progress in terms of your mental and physical goals
- Move your body more. It is always good to be physically active
- Treat your mental health with same as your physical health
- Ask for help, when you need it
It is crucial to remember that a balanced weight and healthy lifestyle should be the goal of life rather than losing weight as that impacts your mental health. Maintaining good mental health is also significantly essential to having a balanced life that makes you feel positive, confident and self-sufficient.
People should self-assess themselves with self-assessment techniques such as having a healthy balanced diet that can motivate them to start a healthier journey and pursue their life goals by staying active throughout the day. Exercise regularly or start going for daily walks, doing yoga, and meditation with refreshing air it can fulfil as a roadmap to better weight management and can significantly contribute to having better mental health.
