Low mood
Having a low mood or depression can have a significant impact on your weight. Additionally, weight changes associated with low mood can become a part of a vicious cycle, where weight gain may further contribute to negative feelings and low self-esteem.
Ingrid Small, an advanced dietitian that works in mental health, discusses how low mood can affect your lifestyle or food choice:
Looking at some of the characteristics of having a low mood can explain why it can be difficult not to gain weight and make it hard to lose weight.
Emotional eating
People experiencing low mood or depression may turn to food as a way to cope with their emotions. This can lead to emotional eating, where individuals eat in response to negative feelings rather than genuine hunger. Emotional eating often involves consuming high-calorie, comfort foods, leading to potential weight gain.
Changes in appetite
Low mood can alter appetite and eating patterns. Some people have less of an appetite, leading to reduced food intake and potential weight loss. On the other hand, others may experience an increase in appetite, particularly for high-calorie, sugary, and fatty foods, which can lead to weight gain.
Reduced physical activity
Low mood is often associated with decreased motivation and energy levels, making individuals less likely to engage in physical activity or exercise. Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, and a decrease in activity levels can contribute to weight gain.
Hormonal changes
Chronic stress and low mood can lead to imbalances in hormones such as cortisol, which can influence fat storage and appetite regulation. High levels of cortisol, often associated with stress, can lead to increased fat deposition, particularly in the abdominal area.
Social isolation
Low mood can lead to social withdrawal and isolation, which may mean that you don’t want to leave the house and do things such as engage in physical activity. You may also feel self-conscious about weight gain which can make you reluctant to see people which increases the social isolation.
Disturbed sleep patterns
Low mood and depression can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality. Lack of sleep is associated with hormonal changes that can affect appetite regulation and increase the desire for high-calorie foods.
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