Decades of research have correlated the prevalence of physical health and mental health issues. One contentious outcome of these studies suggests that individuals who are overweight or obese have a greater risk of common mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Over the past forty years, the average BMI has increased significantly such that approximately 3/4ths of Americans are either overweight or clinically obese. In the same time frame, hypertension, Type II Diabetes, and other preventable chronic health conditions have increased in prevalence.
Meanwhile, it has long been known that specific body types have been celebrated and promoted from one culture to the next. In Western American culture, the trend of being skinny, thin, or fit has long since been the explicit preference. To look a certain way is to be associated with being desirable and attractive. Even if individuals have no issues with size or weight at all, there is significant social pressure to obtain a certain physique. While many resort to exercise and dieting, others resort to cosmetic surgery (e.g., Google: “BBL”) or medical interventions (e.g., Google: “Ozempic”).
The social and cultural pressure to look a certain way leads to an internalized sense of guilt when one is unable to attain such a body type. Furthermore, individuals who are overweight or over a certain size may feel discriminated against as a result of appearing “undesirable” by these unrealistic standards. Weight and size-related stigma add insult to injury when individuals are bullied or disregarded because of their appearance.
The question is…
Does increased weight negatively impact physical health in ways that cause mental health issues?
Or…
Are mental health issues the result of weight-related stigma (guilt, shame, bullying, discrimination) imposed by unrealistic sociocultural standards?
The answer is likely and unfortunately, “both”.
Being overweight or obese can negatively impact one’s overall health and function. This is far from benign, but is not a “death sentence”. If someone is obese, they can likely live several decades to…