Link between obesity and depression has been extensively studied by health experts. Researchers are confused whether obesity leads to depression or depression causes obesity. They explain it as a "chicken and egg case". This is because various studies have shown that obese people are likely to become depressed while people who are suffering from depression have a high probability to turn obese. Researchers have tried to give various reasons to explain the connection between obesity and depression and the causal pathways that lead a person from obesity to depression and vice versa.





Experts believe that obese people are more likely to become depressed because they feel lowly about themselves. They find themselves in poor health and are discontented with their appearance. The connection between obesity and depression was found to be more pronounced amongst women and people belonging to a high socio-economic status. On the other hand, those suffering from depression are at a risk of becoming obese because of physiological changes occurring in their hormonal and immune systems. It has also been seen that depressed people are less likely to take care of themselves and have problems adhering to a fitness regimen. They are likely to develop negative thoughts and overeat to derive a sense of satisfaction.