Obese young people are more likely to suffer from mental health problems

Young people are easily influenced mentally by obesity

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Deputy Director of the Institute of Digestive Surgery, 108 Central Military Hospital - said that obesity is a top health concern in today's society. It is not only the cause of many dangerous diseases such as cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, bone and joint diseases, etc., but also deeply affects mental health.

According to many recent studies, the rate of obese people suffering from psychological illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, etc. is increasing and conversely, people with psychological illnesses are also more likely to be obese than normal people.

Understanding these effects is important for patients, and healthcare professionals are moving toward a comprehensive treatment approach that includes both the medical and psychological aspects.

"In the process of treating obese patients, I have encountered many patients with signs of psychological instability, especially young patients. It is very difficult to do psychological work, they do not have the need to communicate or do not know how to control their emotions, like to live a closed life and often look at others with wary eyes" - Associate Professor Tuan shared.

In 2022, a patient named Nguyen Anh T. (18 years old, originally from Hanoi, currently living in the Czech Republic) weighing 148kg returned to Vietnam and underwent gastric bypass surgery, but because he was not old enough for surgery, he returned to the Czech Republic (at that time he only weighed 128kg and showed signs of depression). After 1 year, the patient had gained 20kg and his depression became more and more severe.

"What impressed me most about this patient, in addition to his oversized appearance, was his negative attitude. The patient was uncooperative when communicating, always gave the other person an unfriendly look, was moody and could not control his emotions... Before treatment, it was also extremely difficult and required patience from the treating physician, combined with the patient's family" - Dr. Tuan added.

Another case, Pham Thanh X. (22 years old, Hanoi, 112kg) also suffered from depression. The patient's mother said that he had been depressed for a long time, had to use sedatives, limited social interaction, had no friends, and tended to work independently, and had uncontrolled eating.

These are 2 of many cases of obesity with psychological problems that have been treated. During the weight loss treatment combined with psychological health treatment, the patients have had positive changes both physically and mentally.

"Modern society increasingly raises the level of beauty, making it harder for obese people to integrate into the community. This makes obese people more self-conscious. They fear ridicule and criticism, leading to negative thoughts, feeling like they don't exist, making it harder for them to have a place in society.

Those negative attitudes lead to self-dissatisfaction, leading to depression, sedentary life, lack of exercise and overeating. From here arise psychological problems in obese people such as depression, bipolar disorder, weight obsession, etc.," said Mr. Tuan.

The impact of obesity on mental health

- Obesity and self-esteem:One of the ways obesity affects mental health is through its impact on self-esteem. People with obesity often face social stigma and negative stereotypes.

This constant scrutiny can lead to a decreased sense of self-worth and increased self-consciousness. As a result, these people may be susceptible to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

- Social distancing:Obesity can also lead to social isolation. Affected individuals may withdraw from social interactions due to fear of being judged or feel uncomfortable in social situations.

- Body image dissatisfaction:Body image dissatisfaction is another common issue for people struggling with obesity. They may experience feelings of shame and dissatisfaction with their appearance, leading to a negative perception of themselves.

- Reduced quality of life:Obesity often reduces quality of life and can negatively impact mental health. People with obesity may have difficulty participating in physical activities and may have health problems that limit their daily activities.

- Coping mechanism:Some individuals turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the emotional challenges of obesity. This may include overeating, binge eating, or even substance abuse.

- Vicious circle:Obesity and mental health problems can create a vicious cycle. The emotional challenges of obesity can lead to overeating and weight gain, which in turn exacerbates mental health problems.