The Connection Between Weight Gain and Depression

Depression affects more than 17 million Americans, causing an array of symptoms that can take a toll on both physical and emotional well-being. 

For many people, depression also makes it harder to maintain a healthy weight, leading to weight gain that in turn can increase risks of other serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease.

At Nova Wellness Health, our providers, Valessa Mesidor, NP-C, and Norvy C. Jean, NP-BC, help our patients manage both depression and weight gain with patient-centered therapies focused on each person’s specific needs. 

In this post, learn how depression can lead to weight gain and what we can do to help.

Depression: The basics

Everyone feels down or sad from time to time, but those feelings usually are related to something specific in their lives, like a death, job loss, or an unwanted change in routine. 

Those sad feelings are temporary and resolve on their own eventually as the underlying cause resolves or you come to terms with it. 

Depression (or depressive disorder) is different. Unlike the occasional bouts of sadness everyone experiences, depression causes persistent feelings that don’t go away on their own. Often, those symptoms have no identifiable trigger or cause.

Depression happens when your brain doesn’t produce or use specific brain chemicals the way it’s supposed to. These chemicals play a key role in emotion regulation, and when their production or distribution is disrupted, you could experience symptoms like:

• Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
• Low self-worth
• Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
• Moodiness, irritability, or agitation
• Anxiety
• Problems with sleep
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating
• Decreased energy, lethargy, and fatigue

Depression can also cause changes in your appetite, and it’s these changes that can lead to weight gain.

How depression leads to weight gain

Researchers are still developing their understanding of the relationship between depression and weight changes. What they do know is that the link between these two issues is multifaceted and complex.

Low energy levels

Low energy levels during depression make it difficult to be physically active, leading to a sedentary lifestyle that can make it almost impossible to maintain a healthy weight. 

Feeling fatigued also interferes with other healthy eating habits, like meal planning or shopping for nutritious foods. For someone with a low energy level, reaching for fast food or prepackaged convenience foods can seem a lot more appealing.

Emotional eating

People with depression may reach for food as a way to deal with unpleasant feelings or even to distract themselves from those feelings. In some instances, eating can become a habitual coping mechanism, leading to mindless snacking and significant weight gain.

Comfort foods

Whether or not you suffer from depression, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced cravings for comfort foods when you were feeling blue or anxious. Typically, these foods are high in fats or carbohydrates, which means it’s easy to pack on the pounds. 

Because depression symptoms are chronic and pervasive, it’s not uncommon to indulge in comfort foods a lot more frequently, increasing the risk of weight gain.

Biological effects

The hormones that regulate mood also have an influence on your metabolism. Low levels of certain hormones can make it harder for your body to burn off calories, leading to weight gain. Sleep problems associated with depression also make it harder to lose weight.

Managing depression and weight

Thanks to advances in our understanding of depression and its effects, there are now more treatment options than ever to help you feel better and control your symptoms. 

Most people benefit from a combination of medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy) to rebalance brain chemistry and develop new, healthy behaviors.

Even better, once the underlying chemical imbalances and unhealthy thoughts and behaviors are under control, many people find it much easier to lose weight and stick to healthy lifestyle habits that can help them maintain their weight over time. 

The key is seeking treatment early and sticking with your therapy plan through regular office visits, so we can adjust your treatment as your needs change.

Like other chronic medical issues, depression requires ongoing care to manage its symptoms and help you lead a healthier, happier life. To learn more about the treatments we offer, call our Wantagh, New York, office at 516-308-7405 or book an appointment online today.