A teen girl suffering from either depression or obesity is at a higher risk of developing the other as she gets older, according to a new study.
Many previous studies have linked obesity to depression but how they relate to each other over time has not been determined. In a new study Rutgers University researchers found that teen girls with either depression or obesity are at a higher risk of developing the other disorder as they get older.
"Adolescence is a key developmental period for both obesity and depression, so we thought it significant to look at the onset of these disorders at an early age," said Naomi Marmorstein, an associate professor of psychology at Rutgers-Camden, in a press statement.
For the research, Marmorstein and her colleagues studied a sample of more than 1,500 males and females in Minnesota over a period of more than 10 years. Participants were assessed at ages 11, 14, 17, 20, and 24 by using height and weight measurements and clinical, interview-based diagnosis of major depressive disorders. The researchers looked specifically for onsets of either disorder by age 14, between the ages of 14 and 20, and between ages 20 and 24.
They found that depression occurring by early adolescence in females is a sign for obesity by late adolescence. Similarly, obesity that occurs by late adolescence in females predicts the onset of depression by early adulthood. No such link was found in males.
"When researchers looked at this connection over time, data had been mixed," Marmorstein said. "Some found that depression and obesity go hand-in-hand, while others did not see that connection. We tried to take the next step in clarifying this link by looking at a sample of youth that we followed from ages 11 to 24."
According to the findings of the study, depression can lead to obesity through an increased appetite, poor sleep patterns, and lethargy and obesity can cause depression due to weight stigma, poor self-esteem, and reduced mobility. Additionally, teen girls that are obese may be more susceptible to negative societal messages about obesity or teasing, which could contribute to depression.
Marmorstein emphasizes on the need for treatments that cater to both disorders even when only one of them is diagnosed.
"When an adolescent girl receives treatment for depression, the clinician might consider incorporating something relating to healthy eating and activity," she said. "Exercise can assist in the treatment of depression to begin with, so it seems like a good reason to combine prevention efforts for both depression and obesity."
Findings of the study were published in the International Journal of Obesity.
