Obesity and A depressive disorder
Occasionally we make the mistake of believing in stereotypes simply due to the fact legends, books, movies, television and other forms of media tell us that they’re true. Santa Claus is a perfect example.
The Victorian-age poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” tells us (little kids, in specific) that Santa Claus can be a happy, jolly, nimble, and had a belly that “shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.” Only an obese adult would wonder why Santa is so jolly, and how he manages to slinker down all those tight chimneys.
Not only is obesity distinctly un-funny, but obese folks can’t wriggle into jeans, significantly much less down chimneys.
According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic and clinical depressive disorders is “caused by a complex set of physical, psychological and environmental factors. Often, a stressful living event can trigger depressive disorder.”
Despression symptoms is a considerable sickness that far exceeds feelings of sadness, and causes clinically significant changes in a person’s body, mood, thoughts and behavior. It can affect both guys and females of any age, and is an equal-opportunity destroyer of both loved ones lifestyle as well as the living in the person who is depressed.
The American Psychiatric Association describes the signs and symptoms of key depressive disorder as:
Depressed mood most on the day, each day
Diminished interest in activities once thought pleasurable and interesting
Sleep disturbance – too significantly, too small
Appetite disturbance – as well significantly, too little
Either physical agitation or lack of physical energy
Excessive fatigue
Feeling helpless, hopeless, worthless, guilty
Inability to focus or concentrate
Thoughts of suicide
Symptoms trigger significant interference with home, school family members or social lifetime.
Folks who are obese typically suffer from either chronic (on-going) depressive disorder or episodes of major depression for primarily emotional and social reasons but also when there is a change in physical situation just like acute sickness, menopause or child-bearing, chronic illness (especially pain) and chronic obesity.
The world today is all about becoming thin and good-looking. Most media-based characters, primary female, are thin too the point of starvation – cases in point, Holly Hunter in Saving Grace and just about everyone on Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Depicted as glamorous, young, sexy, and also the ultimate in fashion sense, these ladies are impossible role models for today’s real females. Still, since major depressive disorder primarily affects females, not living up to these models can trigger extreme reduction of self-esteem and signs or symptoms of acute despression symptoms.
The National Institutes of Psychological Health report that a depressive disorder can exist alongside other psychiatric complications for instance anxiety and eating disorders. These illnesses may perhaps precede the despression symptoms, cause it, and/or be a consequence of it.
When depressive disorders strikes males, the self-worth issues are frequently disguised by getting irritable, angry, and by even violent behavior. Thus, despression symptoms may well be tough to recognize in males.
Even if a man realizes that he is depressed, he may well be less willing than a woman to seek support since our society also negatively stereotypes as “weak” individuals men who are anything but physically and emotionally strong. Clinical depression that’s severe sufficient for the affected individual to look for cure doesn’t go away on its own. Correct diagnosis on the depressive disorder and any other co-existing conditions by mental well being professionals is the very first step toward successful therapy.
Antidepressant medications are extraordinarily secure and effective. Experts report that as many as 90% of those who use antidepressants respond incredibly well to treatment when combined with psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications. When key depressive disorders interferes with everyday existence in an overwhelming way, medication can make all of the difference.
Lifestyle changes like pounds loss can aid banish the low self-esteem that accompanies depressive disorder! For obese individuals, achieving fat reduction goals is often a substantial accomplishment is strongly suggested by mental health professionals, but in secure, reasonable manner.
Obesity has been considered one of the most common diseases all over the world. The term disease is absolutely justified because obesity predisposes to sickness and early death from a large number of causes.
The seriousness of being fat is emphasised by statistics that show a death rate more than fifty percent greater than normal in fat individuals in the same age groups. The view of the etiology of obesity has undergone considerable changes both in the past and recently. Most obesity was once assigned to “glandular conditions.” Later, the saying “You’re fat because you eat too much” became popular. This is a bulletproof fact but it entirely evades the issue of how much is too much.
The energy-balance equation distinctly shows that too much merely means more than is necessary to supply the energy needs of the body. Since beyond this point, additional food is stored as fat, the amount one eats must be viewed in relationship to one’s activity pattern. For example, a study of obese high school girls revealed that they ate, on the average, less than a control group of normal weight girls. The obese girls had much less physical activity than the control group and were eating too much only in relationship to their physical activity.
This example stresses the fact, so easily forgotten, that there are two sides to the energy-balance equation. Moreover, recent studies have revealed a startling physiological relationship, namely, that low levels of physical activity may cause increased eating, i.e the less physical activity one performs, the more he eats and, consequently, the fatter he is.
It is clear that very low levels of activity do not induce similar reductions of food intake but actually stimulate eating. The implications of these findings for energy balance in a society where so many of us fall into the sedentary category are obvious, and the elucidation of the factors responsible will be of considerable importance.
Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat, which is identified through the concept of Body Mass Index (BMI). Specifically, overweight refers to an excess body weight with a BMI of 25 to 29.9. However, individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. Although our society is preoccupied with the “art” of thinness, obesity is finally recognized as an increasing health problem.
Obesity in teens costs the country billions of dollars a year in disease management and emergency room visits for heart problems and diabetes. However, the cost to teens isnt as easily quantified; the problems that arise for obese teenagers range from physical to mental and can only be cured gradually over time. Below is a simple guide outlining three main risks associated with teen obesity and three ways to combat teenage obesity.
Causes of Obesity in Teens:
1. Poor eating habits
More and more teenagers provide for themselves when it comes to preparing and eating meals. Most of the meals a teenager eats are provided at school. Sometimes these choices are less than healthy options, like pizza and French fries. Also available in many schools are numerous vending machines selling sodas, chips, and candy bars. Dinner may be the first and only chance a teenager has to eat a healthy meal.
2. Lack of exercise
Teenagers get little opportunity for physical movement during school, and with the elimination of many Physical Education requirements, they get next to none. This lack of activity coupled with the increased number of video and computer games keep teenagers stationary and unable to exert the energy needed to burn off the calories they consume.
3. Depression
Depression during adolescence is a major cause of many eating problems, but usually goes undiagnosed. Depression decreases a teenagers interest in normal activities and may decrease their level of physical exertion. A poor appetite may also result, thus making a teenager more susceptible to illness and obesity.
Triggers To Watch For:
1.#Your obese teen has less energy or interests and is hesitant to participate in social relationships or other activities;
2.#Your obese teen appears increasingly sad, lonely, angry or withdrawn.
3.#Your obese teen has few friends.
4.#Your obese teen has thoughts of causing harm to him/herself or others.
5.#Your obese teen is obsessed with eating.
6.#Your obese teen sleeps too much or not enough.
7.#Your obese teen is reluctant to go to school.
Treatment for Teen Obesity:
1.#It is best to eat healthy food, like fruits, vegetables, grains so that all essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrition are provided to the body.
2.#Foods like pasta, French fries, pizza and aerated drink should be restricted.
3.#One of the best ways to loosing weight for teens is walking.
4.#Exercises can be done at least 3 times per week but no weights and dumbbells should be used.
5.#It is also necessary to maintain 50% natural raw foods in everyday diet along with having plenty of water each day.
6.#Requiring physical education and health programs during school is an important way to contribute to a teenagers physical well-being.
7.#Access to counselors and responsible, trusted adults is important in the development of adolescent health.
8.#Many schools instituted healthier eating programs on their campuses, emphasizing more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.
There are two kinds of diabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The first type is also known as juvenile diabetes and is usually diagnosed in childhood. It is the body’s cells and the pancreas” inability to produce enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes there is not enough insulin produced for the body or the body is not making proper use of the insulin that is available.
Many studies and doctors have linked an increasing number of people being diagnosed with diabetes to obesity. When a person is obese or very over weight they are overtaxing their pancreas (the organ that produces insulin) and this can lead to type 2 diabetes. Being obese is a risk factor for diabetes but it does not mean you will develop the disease if you are obese. By losing weight and leading a healthier lifestyle you can gain control of this risk factor either by reducing it or eliminating it altogether.
There are other risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes including age and race but of course there is no control over these factors. Studies have shown that over half of the people diagnosed with diabetes are considered clinically obese. People who are obese and work hard to lose weight can better manage their diabetes through diet or oral medications instead of insulin injections. Incorporating a healthy eating plan and regular physical activity will also help to manage the disease.
In addition to being at a higher risk for developing diabetes people who are obese are at an increased risk for other life-threatening diseases too. Namely heart and cardiovascular diseases, it is in an individual’s best interest to maintain a healthy weight for their body type and health in order to reduce the risks to their health. Medical support is available through your health care provider if needed.