Adherence
Binge eating and atypical depression are positively associated with being overweight (BMI > 25) and increased weight gain (BMI slope) in young adults, independent of physical activity and substance use.
If you struggle with binge eating or atypical depression (characterized by oversleeping and overeating), you are at a significantly higher risk of becoming overweight and gaining weight over time compared to those with major depression or generalized anxiety. Addressing the underlying psychiatric condition through therapy or medication may be as important for weight management as diet and exercise.
Atypical depression and binge eating were positively associated with both, increased weight gain and being overweight, while psychiatric conditions associated with aggressive behaviors (aggressive personality traits, sociopathy) were positively associated with being overweight, but were not related to the rate of weight change.
Why this rating
Longitudinal prospective cohort study (20 years) with rigorous diagnostic interviews, though observational design limits causal inference.
Source
The associations between psychopathology and being overweight: a 20-year prospective study
Gregor Hasler et al. · Psychological Medicine · 2004
DOI 10.1017/s0033291703001697
More from this paper
- Sociopathy (defined by antisocial/aggressive behavior in childhood/adolescence) is strongly associated with being overweight, but is NOT associated with the rate of weight gain (BMI slope).Good
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is negatively associated with being overweight, meaning individuals with GAD are less likely to be overweight.Good
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