In 2006, the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) released a study which showed that, for 1 in 4 people, obesity was linked to an anxiety or mood disorder, though the exact relationship between the two remained unclear.

The data came from a face to face survey, National Comorbidity Survey Replication, and found that obesity is on the rise in the US, along with increasing rates of depression, bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive disorder) and panic disorder.

There was no difference between men and women in the study. Societal and cultural factors did influence this connection, with highest correlation in non-Hispanic, white participants who are college educated, and aged 29 or younger.

The link between obesity and anxiety and depression still needs to be studied further, though it is also common sense. Obesity is a problem you can’t easily hide, and one that may lead to poor treatment from others. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that it doesn’t need to be this way. You can take action, today, to conquer your obesity.

Why not start by listening to the free audio interview with Dr. Jo Lynn and Lynette Patterson? You can access that by signing up on the top right of this page.