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People who are obese are more likely to have depression than people who are not, but it’s been unclear how one might cause the other. A study of the relationship between depression and genetic variants linked to higher body mass index published today (November 13) in the International Journal of Epidemiology suggests that obesity causes depression, and that it is the untoward psychological effects related to obesity that drive the mood disorder.
“These new findings are perhaps the strongest so far to suggest higher weights may actually contribute to depression,” Naveed Sattar, a professor of cardiovascular and medical sciences at the University of Glasgow who did not participate in the work, tells The Guardian. “Of course, many other factors can cause depression, but, even so, weight loss might be helpful to improve mental health in some individuals, whereas keeping leaner in general should help lessen chances ...
