Depression causes loss of interest, sad feelings and hopelessness. Many people may not even realize that they are suffering from depression. Others who are aware of their mild condition, often don't seek treatment because they feel embarrassed. Depression has been linked to all type of heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and also cancer. Many researchers believe that depression can also bring obesity.

In research the relation between depression and obesity is like a paradox. Some researchers say that people who are suffering from obesity become depressed because obesity causes them to have a poor self-esteem, which causes them to isolate themselves socially. People who are obese are often stereotyped, bullied, and criticized, thus reinforcing the poor image they already have of themselves. Obesity also causes heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. All of which researchers have already connected to depression.

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The other viewpoint is that people who are depressed are high risk of becoming obese. Researchers backing this theory argue that chemical imbalances, primarily the hormones cortisol and serotonin in the brain, are what lead to obesity. Cortisol is a hormone that stimulates appetite, glucose production and fat storage. It is produced by the brain in times of stress. For a person who is under constant stress, this is like an opened flood gate. The cortisol keep pouring into the body, causing the person to have the desire to eat and causing the food to be stored in the form of fat.

It has also been found that people who are suffering from depression have a decreased amount of the hormone serotonin in the brain. Serotonin hormone acts as a messenger in the brain. It has influence over psychological and body functions (i.e. sexual desire/function, appetite, sleep, memory, temperature, and behaviors).

It is possible that both of these answers are correct. Obesity and depression share with one another many common risk factors and treatments in the form of lifestyle changes. The risk factors for both include the following:

Poor diet or exercise.
predisposed through family history.
problems dealing with stress, emotions and boredom
health problems- cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Sleeping Problems
low self-esteem, low self-image, highly self-critical, pessimism

The lifestyle changes recommended are:

1. Drink right amount of water everyday
2. Regular freehand exercise.
3. Eating well.
4. 7-9 hours of sleep everyday.
5. Finding your social support
6. Reduction of stress in daily life.
7. Increase intake of Fresh Homemade Juice (Helps to be in shape)

Research shows that obese people who undergo treatment for depression are more apt to change their lifestyle, resulting in improvement in their weight. These people experience reduction in their depression symptoms gradually.

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One thing is for certain, researchers will continue to search for the connection between depression and obesity. Until a definitive relation is found it is recommended for people who are suffering from these bad conditions should consult a Doctor..