Obesity and Mental Health
In a sample of 682 people with comorbid binge-eating disorder and obesity, women had significantly higher eating disorder psychopathology than men, suggesting that obesity in women may have a psychological manifestation that varies from that of men.
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity in the United States has increased from 30.5% to 42.4% among adults over the past twenty years.1 Although obesity has an impact on health regardless of gender, some disparities exist. Rates of obesity are similar among men and women; however, stroke risk associated with obesity has remained stagnant in men and increased three-fold in women since the year 2000.2 In a sample of 682 people with comorbid binge-eating disorder and obesity, women had significantly higher eating disorder psychopathology than men.3 This suggests that obesity in women may have a psychological manifestation that varies from that of men. In a systematic review of the link between adverse life experiences and obesity and binge-eating, 85% of available studies found a positive association between trauma and obesity, and 90% of the studies found a positive association between trauma and binge-eating disorder.4 Yet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for weight loss and obesity prevention include nutrition and exercise strategies but make no mention of psychological interventions to address obesity.5 Why aren’t we addressing the psychological component of obesity?