Effect Of MENTAL HEALTH ON BODY Weight

The relationship between body weight and mental health is complex and bidirectional, meaning that each can influence the other.

There is an urgent clinical need to develop robust interventions to address overweight and obesity in people with severe mental illness.

How Mental Health Affects Body Weight:

Here are some key aspects of the interaction between body weight and mental health:

Emotional Eating:

Stress, anxiety, and depression can lead to emotional eating. People may turn to food as a way to cope with negative emotions, seeking comfort in high-calorie and often unhealthy foods. Emotional eating if continued for a long time can contribute to weight gain.

Hormonal Changes:

 Prolonged stress can cause the release of certain hormones in the body. For example, it can lead to elevated levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with increased appetite and cravings for sugary and fatty foods.

Physical Activity Levels:

When we talk about mental health, it refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being essentially, it involves the state of our minds and how we think, feel, and behave. Issues like these can impact a person’s motivation and energy levels, affecting their ability to engage in regular physical activity. Lack of exercise can contribute to weight gain and overall health issues.

Medication Side Effects:

Some medications prescribed for health conditions, such as certain antidepressants or antipsychotics, may have side effects that can lead to weight gain. These effects can include increased appetite or changes in metabolism.

Sleep Disruptions: