The Ukmedix newsroom has previously informed its readers that there is evidence and research that shows that overweight or obese people are likely to be victims of depression. In fact the figures show the likelihood of any type of psychiatric disorders is 25% for obese people. This is of some concern as in the independent testing done on the new weight loss drug Acomplia it was noted that around 1 in 30 obese and overweight participants developed psychiatric disorders when using the drug.

More recent studies have shown that the statistics on obese and overweight people who suffer from depression may be higher than previously thought according to scientists at the Centre for Health Studies based in Seattle. Not much research has gone into the connnection between obesity and depression but recently the  Archives of General Psychiatry published a study in its monthly journal which really made an attempt to evaluate the problem. The study was financed by the United States National Inst.of Mental Health over a two year period and over nine thousand people who had an average age of 45 were looked at. It was noted that the obese people (who had a BMI of thirty or higher) had a 25% greater chance of suffering from depression, having an anxiety or similar disorder like depression than those people who were not obese.

The researchers said that overall around 1 person in 5 is actually diagnosed as having some depression in the United States over the period of their lives and that the figure climbs to 28% in people who are obese.The study did not try to evaluate whether it was the obesity that was the cause of the depression or whether it was the depression that was the cause of the obesity but the researchers felt that the the link between the two worked in both directions.

As yet for example the researchers can't prove whether if a person goes on a diet they are more likely to lose their depression or whether using anti depressant medicines could help a person to lose weight. It would seem that research in this field would be of use to health professionals and doctors when dealing with these two very common problems in America.

The study did not look at the weight loss drug Acomplia and its side effects but more research on the effects of the drug on depression would be useful. It may be that the mood enhancing properties of losing weight would outweigh any negative effect that the drug has on mood. The EMEA in Europe were concerned about the obesity and depression link and have said that the weight loss drug Acomplia should therefore not be taken by patients who have a history of depression or anyone who is using antidepressant medicines.