Depression Linked to Increased Abdominal Fat
Older adults with symptoms of depression are more likely to gain fat in the abdominal area, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
Nicole Vogelzangs of VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and her colleagues studied 2,088 adults aged 70-79. The study participants were screened for depression and their abdominal fat was recorded at the beginning of the study. At the end of five years, the measurements were taken again.
At the end of five years, the study authors found that the presence of depression symptoms at the beginning of the study was associated with an increase in sagittal diameter (the distance between the back and the highest point of the abdomen) and increased visceral fat (fat between the organs) over the course of the study. No link existed between depression symptoms and overall obesity, however.
According to the authors, these results suggest that depression symptoms are specifically linked with fat gain in the abdominal region.
The authors note that there are several mechanisms which might account for the abdominal fat-depression link, such as increased cortisol production due to chronic stress.
These results could also explain why depression is often followed by diabetes or heart disease, say the authors, but further researched is needed to sort out just what the mechanisms are.
Comments
I’m only 62 yet … but I think that gain in abdominal fat ist due to an increased hunger for sweets to cope with depression.
I agree with the previous comment. Also, depression = less energy = weight gain.
Don’t forget alcohol. Stress + sweets/starches + alcohol = big stomach. I’m skeptical that increased fat in the stomach area is caused directly by depression. Seems like its a combination of several lifestyle habits that are coping mechanisms by depressed people.
The fat is due to the taking of Celexa!! Ever been on that pill? Well, no matter how much you diet or don’t eat, you won’t lose a lb. That’s because the pill causes you to gain weight badly and go right to the stomach. My daughter experienced this first hand!
I’m 66 and have suffered from depression for a number of years. I weigh the same as I did in high school but, unfortunately, time and gravity have shifted it to the center. I believe a link is a real stretch and abdominal fat is a ‘by-product’ of depression factors vs any direct connection.
I think Depression most of the time trigger ur hunger and gets satisfied by junk food like chocolates, ice cream which leads to fat stomach. Also due to depression u usually dont feel active and put on weight due to it.
Of course the side effects of anitdepressants top up the whole thing
Annie Bankss
Get Rid Of Your Depression
I am dealing with this exact problem. My weight, especially my belly fat is affection my depression so badly that I am weaning myself off of my meds. I feel so ashamed when I go out, & feel people are thinking that I eat junk food & too much of it! My diet is real food,and I am concious of what I put into my body. I have to make myself eat, because of my meds I have no appetite. I rarely take in even half of the nutrition required for a healthy body. I exercise religiously, and gain weight. My family knows this & are always reminding me to eat. This is affecting them as they feel so badly for me & are unable to do anything to help. Right now, while I am trying to wean myself off my depression meds, they are watching me closely, and reassuring me on a constant basis. (Yes, I have great kids!)
I am very interested in seeing this problem studied more, and would be willing to be a part of any study like this.
I’m only 46 and have suffered a short spell of depression following an intense period of stress. I have noticable abdominal fat built up during the depressed period and as I understand it, it will the the cortisol levels that have caused this. I did spend a short time on one particular anti-depressant, which, because of the increased appetite it gave me, lead to putting on a stone in three weeks. Some of this weight remains around my waiste, unfortunately. I haven’t been able to shift it for a year. I put this down to worrying about not eating enough nutrients to put me back on the road to recovery so I’m probably eating too much at mealtimes. I try to keep active, but rely on walking. This is almost impossible during the winter, I have found, when you work full time as well. I suppose until i get my cortisol levels under control and stop eating sweet things (I don’t eat many)the tummy fat will stay put. Once upon a time it used to be called middle-aged spread, surely!! Why is that?
Nobody in the comments has yet mentioned lack of adequate, quality sleep, and yet good sleep is essential, just as diet is!
I am nearly 61 years and overweight with belly fat but after 5 children and a life with on-going problems, stress is inevitable and therefore cortisol,etc.
I cannot write my life’s problems here, but probably due to those problems and maybe, hereditary factors, an overactive thyroid (Graves)can result and then all the factors are then compounded and so then one needs to look at one’s attitude, diet, sleep, stress, etc etc
Recently, I read ‘on about.com’ that thyroid problems can also result in Alzheimers, later in life! So, better fix things now!!
Date: 12/14/2008
Another factor is the limited active physical nature of our modern lives. We have cars, trucks, SUV’s, buses, and lots of modern conveniences etc. We are much less active than our ancestors. Also, as we age we further tend to decrease our activities. This further complicates the issue of our individual health.
There are many reasons for not being fit, and the increase in abdominal fat is because we eat more than our previous ancestors.
It is much harder to maintain a good caloric deficit than it used to, with increased processed foods and fast, comfortable alternatives.
Anyway, even with these “problems” there is still no excuse not to live a healthy life, in my opinion..