A new research paper published in Human Molecular Genetics has found a link between a higher BMI and depression.
The team used Mendelian Randomisation genetic analysis to see if the causal link is due to psychosocial factors like societal influences and social stigma or physical factors like metabolic conditions linked to higher BMI. High blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are examples.
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The researchers from the University of Exeter examined genetic data from over 145,000 UK Biobank participants with detailed mental health data. These findings come from a multi-faceted study that looked at genetic variants linked to higher BMI as well as results from a clinically relevant mental health questionnaire.
Additionally, the team examined two previously discovered sets of genetic variants to determine which pathways may be involved in the development of depression in people with a higher BMI. One set of genes causes people to gain weight but remain metabolically healthy, which means they were less likely to develop conditions associated with increased BMI, such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
The second set of genes examined causes people to gain weight and develop metabolic abnormalities, or makes them more susceptible to developing such conditions. The researchers discovered no significant difference between the two sets of genetic variants, indicating that both physical and social factors contribute to higher rates of depression and decreased well-being.
“Obesity and depression are both major global health challenges, and our study provides the most robust evidence to date that higher BMI causes depression,” said lead author Jess O’Loughlin.
“Our research suggests that being fatter leads to a higher risk of depression, regardless of the role of metabolic health. This suggests that both physical health and social factors, such as social stigma, both play a role in the relationship between obesity and depression.”
“Our research adds to a body of evidence that being overweight causes depression. Finding ways to support people to lose weight could benefit their mental health as well as their physical health,” Dr Francesco Casanova from the University of Exter Medical School concluded.
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