title: Obesity in women.
abstract: Obesity carries a unique disease burden on women and is influenced by a variety of biological, hormonal, environmental, and cultural factors. Reproductive transitions, such as pregnancy and menopause, increase the risk for obesity. Psychologically, obese women experience greater weight-related stigma and discrimination and are at increased risk for depression than obese men. Women are also particularly susceptible to psychological stress, sleep debt, and lack of physical activity, all of which are risk factors for the development of excess weight. Obesity risk is increased among women with psychiatric disorders and those who use certain psychotropic medications. Obesity treatment should take into consideration degree of obesity, health risks, past weight loss attempts, and individual differences in motivation and readiness for treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 West Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Azarbad
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gonder-Frederick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs