title: An Overview of Links Between Obesity and Mental Health.
abstract: The American Medical Association recently recognized obesity as both an illness and a leading cause of preventable death and chronic disease. This association is not only linked to physical health outcomes, however, as obesity has also been extensively associated with mental illness as well. Both obesity and severe mental illness decrease quality of life and are associated with an increase in disability, morbidity, and mortality, and when they occur together, these adverse health outcomes are magnified. Despite educational campaigns, increased awareness, and improved treatment options, the high prevalence of mental illness and comorbid obesity remains a serious problem. This review examines this overlap, highlighting clinical and biological factors that have been linked to this association in order to improve our understanding and help elucidate potential therapeutic avenues.
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, HSC 3N52A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.|Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Avila
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, HSC 3N52A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: Alison C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Holloway
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada.
authors.forename: Margaret K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, HSC 3N52A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, HSC 3N52A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Restivo
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, HSC 3N52A, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anglin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada. valerie.taylor@wchospital.ca.
authors.forename: Valerie H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Genetic and environmental factors; Mental health; Obesity; Pharmacological treatment