In recent searches it has been found that obesity and depression in children and adolescents in the United States are developing hand in hand. In 2007 it was estimated that the prevalence of depression in children up to age 12 is 2% and 4 – 8% in adolescents, ages 13 and above. And an estimated 17 – 13% of adolescents are obese. Doctors are discovering it difficult to pin point which issue definitely causes which. Obesity and depression have overlapping, underlying symptoms which include increased stress and inflammation, negative self image, unhealthy appetite and food intake, sedentary behavior and sleep apnea. Several studies have found that children and adolescents that are obese have a higher chance of experiencing depression and other psychological issues. Similar studies have proven that youth who are depressed have an increased chance of becoming obese.
The social environment of the United States plays a large role in this growing epidemic. We live in a society in which the economy thrives off of the over-consumption of the population, however there is a strong social stigma against those who participate in this excess consumption. Fast food corporations dominate the food industry in major cities all across America. They have specified kids meals that include toys – their sole purpose is to attract children. The cheap prices of these establishments make it an easy place for teenagers to spend their limited funds. While this is being advertised, popular culture promotes something else. The “media popularizes and promotes false ideals. Being glamorous, having a perfect body, being rich and famous, having perfect skin and hair, a great car, lots of girl/boyfriends - these are the kind of images teens are constantly bombarded with. Trying to be 'cool' and measure up to these unrealistic standards puts huge pressure on many teenagers which can lead to low self-esteem and depression.”
This leads to a vicious cycle fostered by our own society. It may not be intentional, but we our slowly killing our community with the negative encouragement offered by different food industries as well as the accepted image of beauty in the media. Doctors have previously been attempting to treat obesity and depression, especially in youths, as two separate issues. But now after observing the prevalence of one where ever the other exists, it is becoming more apparent that there needs to be a way to treat the two diseases together.
Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2568994/
http://www.depression-recovery-life.com/teen-depression.html
Good description of your problem, now all that is needed is to make a succinct definition - e.g.:
ReplyDelete4-8% of American adolescents suffer from depression, 13-17% are obese, these phenomena are correlated, and perhaps causally linked, exacerbated by the social environment...