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Depression and obesity: Focus on factors and mechanistic links.

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease
January 1, 2025
Ashley Selman et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine the interplay of molecular, psychological, societal, and environmental factors linking high-fat diet (HFD) to depressive disorders and obesity, and to evaluate interventions for these conditions.

Results Summary

The study found that HFD alters the gut-microbiome, leading to systemic inflammation and dysregulation of mood and the HPA axis, exacerbating depressive symptoms. Obesity and depression have a bidirectional relationship, with each condition increasing the likelihood of the other.

Population

Individuals with obesity and/or major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly those with atypical depression.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
diet and exercise
neutral
depressive disorders
-
-
utilizes
#1
bright light therapy
neutral
depressive disorders
-
-
utilizes
#2
cognitive behavioral therapy
neutral
depressive disorders
-
-
utilizes
#3
pharmaceutical therapy
neutral
depressive disorders
-
-
utilizes
#4
high fat diet (HFD)
neutral
gut-microbiome
individuals consuming a high fat diet (HFD) commonly ingested by those with obesity
-
altered
#5
high fat diet (HFD)
increase
systemic inflammation
individuals consuming a high fat diet (HFD) commonly ingested by those with obesity
-
leading to
#6
high fat diet (HFD)
neutral
mood
individuals consuming a high fat diet (HFD) commonly ingested by those with obesity
-
dysregulation of
#7
high fat diet (HFD)
neutral
HPA axis
individuals consuming a high fat diet (HFD) commonly ingested by those with obesity
-
impacting
#8
high fat diet (HFD)
neutral
neural health
individuals consuming a high fat diet (HFD) commonly ingested by those with obesity
-
impacting
#9
Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is defined as mood disorder causing a persistent loss of interest and despair for two weeks or greater, with related symptoms. Depression can interfere with daily life and can cause those affected to not work, study, eat, sleep, and enjoy previously enjoyed hobbies and life events as they did previously. If untreated, it can become a serious health condition. Depression is multifactorial with a variety of factors influencing the condition. These factors include: (1) poor diet and exercise, (2) socioeconomic status, (3) gender, (4) biological clocks, (5) genetics and epigenetics, and (6) personal stressors. Treatment of depressive disorders is thus also multifactorial and utilizes the following therapies: (1) diet and exercise, (2) bright light therapy, (3) cognitive behavioral therapy, and (4) pharmaceutical therapy. Obesity is defined as body mass index over 30 and above, is believed to be causally linked to MDD through both psychological and molecular means. Atypical depression, a common form of MDD, is most strongly correlated with a high proclivity for obesity. Obesity and depression have a bidirectional relationship, a patient experiencing either condition singularly is more likely to develop the other due to the neural links between the two, including emotional lability, physical health of the brain, hormones, cytokine secretion, appetite, diet and feeding habits, inflammatory state. In individuals consuming a high fat diet (HFD) commonly ingested by those with obesity, the gut-microbiome is altered leading to systemic inflammation and the dysregulation of mood and the HPA axis impacting their neural health. The purpose of this paper is to examine the interplay of potential molecular, psychological, societal, and environmental causal factors of depressive disorders and how obesity perpetuates depression. A secondary aim of this paper is to examine current interventions that may help improve those affected by both conditions.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansObesityDepressive Disorder, MajorExerciseDepression
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy30/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations5
Citations/Year5.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.71
Normalized Score0.45
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