Psychological aspects of obesity

Abstract

Obesity's established links with physical morbidity are not mirrored for psychological morbidity. Recent evidence has described an increased risk of psychological distress especially in females, those most obese, and older people. Depression and poor psychological wellbeing are over-represented in clinical samples but are partly accounted for by co-occurring physical illness and pain. Binge-eating disorder is more common in clinical than community samples of obese individuals. Low self-esteem is commonly observed and has been linked to the anti-fat attitudes prevalent in society. Weight loss is generally associated with psychological benefit.