LOSING WEIGHT WON'T NECESSARILY MAKE YOU HAPPY
In a study of 1,979
overweight and obese adults in the UK, people who lost 5% or more of their
initial body weight over four years showed significant changes in markers of
physical health, but were more likely to report depressed mood than those who
stayed within 5% of their original weight
The research,
published in PLOS ONE, highlights the need to consider mental
health alongside physical health when losing weight. Clinical trials of weight
loss have been shown to improve participants' mood, but this could be a result
of the supportive environment rather than the weight loss itself, as the
effects are seen very early on in treatment and are not related to the extent
of weight loss.
It's important to note
this new result does not mean that weight loss necessarily causes depression
directly, as depression and weight loss may share a common cause. However, it
shows that weight loss outside the clinical trial setting cannot be assumed to
improve mood and raises questions about the psychological impact of weight
loss.
The data came from the
English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a UK study of adults aged 50 or older,
and excluded participants with a diagnosis of clinical depression or a debilitating
illness. Depressed mood and overall wellbeing were assessed using standard
questionnaires and weight was measured by trained nurses
Of the 1,979
overweight and obese participants, 278 (14%) lost at least 5% of their initial
body weight with a mean weight loss of 6.8kg per person. Before adjusting for
serious health issues and major life events such as bereavement, which can
cause both weight loss and depressed mood, the people who lost weight were 78%
more likely to report depressed mood. After controlling for these, the
increased odds of depressed mood remained significant at 52%.
"We do not want
to discourage anyone from trying to lose weight, which has tremendous physical
benefits, but people should not expect weight loss to instantly improve all
aspects of life," says lead author Dr Sarah Jackson (UCL Epidemiology
& Public Health). "Aspirational advertising by diet brands may give
people unrealistic expectations about weight loss. They often promise instant
life improvements, which may not be borne out in reality for many people.
People should be realistic about weight loss and be prepared for the
challenges.
"Resisting the
ever-present temptations of unhealthy food in modern society takes a mental
toll, as it requires considerable willpower and may involve missing out on some
enjoyable activities. Anyone who has ever been on a diet would understand how
this could affect wellbeing. However, mood may improve once target weight is
reached and the focus is on weight maintenance. Our data only covered a four
year period so it would be interesting to see how mood changes once people
settle into their lower weight.
"Healthcare
professionals should monitor patients' mental as well as physical health when
recommending or responding to weight loss, and offer support where necessary.
People who are trying to lose weight should be aware of the challenges and not
be afraid to seek support, whether from friends, family or healthcare
professionals."
Senior author
Professor Jane Wardle, director of the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour
Centre at UCL, says: "A recent UK survey found that 60% of overweight and
obese adults in the UK are trying to lose weight. There are clear benefits in
terms of physical health, which our study confirmed. People who lost weight achieved
a reduction in blood pressure and serum triglycerides; significantly reducing
the risk of heart disease. However, patients and doctors alike should be aware
that there is no immediate psychological benefit and there may be an increased
risk of depression."
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