Morbid Obesity, Depression, and Suicide
by Kevin Caruso
A study on morbid obesity and depression that appeared in the American Journal of Epidemiology indicates that people who are morbidly obese are five times more likely to be depressed than those who are not.
Morbid obesity may be defined as people whose body mass index is more than 40. This index uses a ratio of height to weight to
determine the number. For additional information, please consult with your doctor.
As a rough guide, women of average height who weigh 240 pounds or more, and men of average height who weigh 280 pounds or more are probably morbidly obese.
People who are morbidly obese not only have to deal with the extra weight on their bodies, but also a social stigma associated with obesity.
Clearly, the social stigma can be contributory to the onset of depression.
The findings in the study that morbidly obese people are five times more likely
to be depressed than those who are not also means that people who are morbidly obese are at a high risk for suicide.
Untreated depression is the number one cause for depression.
If you are morbidly obese and believe that you have depression, you need to get help immediately.
Please make appointments with a doctor and a therapist.
And if you are suicidal, please call 911 or 1-800-SUICIDE or go to the
home page of this website for more information.
If you morbidly obese but do not feel depressed, please keep in mind that the risk is very high that you will develop depression, and that you may become suicidal. So at any juncture in the future if you feel yourself getting depressed, please get help immediately.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.
Thank you.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
