Hormonal
Increased appetite during a depressive episode is the primary driver of associations between depression and metabolic/inflammatory markers (BMI, metabolic syndrome components, waist circumference, CRP, TNF-α).
If you are depressed and experiencing increased appetite, this is a specific biological subtype ('immuno-metabolic depression') linked to higher inflammation and metabolic risk. It is not just 'overeating' but a symptom. Standard antidepressants may not address this. Discuss with your doctor whether treatments targeting inflammation (like anti-inflammatories or statins, though evidence is mixed) or lifestyle interventions (diet, weight loss) might be beneficial for this specific subtype.
Increased appetite – in the context of a depressive episode – was the only symptom that was associated with both metabolic as well as inflammatory markers, and could be a key feature of an immuno-metabolic form of depression.
Why this rating
Large sample size (N=808), rigorous diagnostic interviews, and adjustment for multiple covariates, though cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
Source
Metabolic and inflammatory markers: associations with individual depressive symptoms
Femke Lamers et al. · Psychological Medicine · 2017
DOI 10.1017/s0033291717002483
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This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →