Depression might increase the chances of obesity, a new research suggests.
Study shows that major depression disorder (MDD) with atypical features such as mood reactivity can greatly up obesity risk.
According to researchers, MDD with atypical features increases appetite or weight gain when positive situations occur in life. This heightens the chances of obesity risk.
For the study, the researchers examined 3,054 people from Lausanne, Switzerland. The median age of the participants was nearly 50 years. Researchers analyzed the changes in body mass index, waist circumference and fat mass during follow-up.
Prior to the study, 7.6 percent participants had major depression disorder, and 10 percent had atypical and melancholic episodes, 14 percent had atypical episodes, 29 percent had melancholic episodes and 48 percent had unspecified episodes.
The study results showed an association between major depression disorder with atypical features with greater increase in adiposity, obesity and waist circumference in both men and women. The condition was also linked to greater fat mass in men.
Researchers also found higher BMI in participants suffering major depression disorder with atypical features also was not temporary and remained even after remission of the depressive episode.
"For the clinician, the atypical subtype deserves particular attention because this subtype is a strong predictor of adiposity. Accordingly, the screening of atypical features and, in particular, increased appetite in individuals with depression is crucial. The prescription of appetite-stimulating medication should be avoided in these patients and dietary measures during depressive episodes with atypical features are advocated," researchers wrote in the study.
According to the lead researcher Aurélie M. Lasserre, M.D., of Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, the latest findings are important as MDD and obesity have greater public health impacts worldwide.
The findings were published June 4 in the journal 'JAMA Psychiatry'.
