Weight Loss Improves Mood

Depressed patients on a behavioral weight loss program not only lost body weight but improved their depression symptoms and reduced triglycerides, which are a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

“Depression and obesity are independently associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke, and so reductions in both body weight and symptoms of depression are likely to improve long-term health outcomes” said Dr. Lucy Faulconbridge, lead author of the study.

Fifty-one depressed and non-depressed subjects were recruited into the study to follow a supervised weight loss program that included lifestyle modification and meal replacements. Both depressed and non-depressed subjects lost significant amounts of weight, with depressed individuals losing 8 percent of their initial body weight, compared with 11 percent loss by non-depressed individuals. After six months on the weight loss program, depressed subjects also showed significant improvement of their depressive symptoms, based on a questionnaire.
Additional significant improvements in glucose, insulin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were observed in both depressed and non-depressed subjects, and depressed individuals showed reduced levels of triglycerides in the blood.



Sources:
Nutrition Horizon: Depressed People Mood Improves in Weight Loss