Mental Illness Linked to Unhealthy Habits

People who suffer from depression or anxiety are at risk for chronic disease because they are much more likely to be obese and to smoke.
In a large study involving phone interviews from 200,000 adults in 38 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, data was collected concerning the prevalence of key health behaviours. Among the data collected was information about depression and habits such as physical activity, smoking and drinking alcohol.
Of the people interviewed, 8.7 percent had current depression, 15.7 percent had previous depression and 11.3 percent had an anxiety diagnosis at some time.
People who were, or had been, depressed were 60 percent more likely to be obese and twice as likely to smoke as those who had no history of depression. Those with a history of anxiety were 30 percent more likely to be obese and twice and likely to smoke as those with no anxiety history. The research also revealed those with depression or anxiety are more likely to be physically inactive and to be binge or heavy drinkers.
“The relationship between obesity and depression is plausible for several reasons,” study author Tara Strine of the Division of Adult and Community Health in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was quoted as saying. “First, some patients who are overweight may be prone to depression because of societal attitudes towards obesity. Also, while depression can lead to decreased appetite and weight loss in some individuals, others eat more and gain weight.”

SOURCE: General Hospital Psychiatry, 2008;30:127-137