Podcast: Study Finds Obesity is Direct Cause of Poor Mental Well-being

According to a report from the World Health Organization, obesity and its link to mental well-being is becoming a growing issue in our country and throughout the world.

Research shows obesity increases risk of heart disease, diabetes and a wide variety of other issues. But according to new findings, higher body mass index and obesity is a direct cause of poor mental well-being.

Chief medical information officer and chairman of family medicine at Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington Delaware, Dr. Brian McDonough gave a brief overview of a recent study linking the two.

“The hope is to help reduce the numbers, but one of the most interesting findings has to do with a psychological price that people who are obese seem to pay,” said McDonough.

Individuals should be encouraged to lose weight because this will lead to better physical health but as McDonough reports, for many this is not motivating enough. He said becoming happier and more satisfied with their lives might just be the extra motivation needed to encourage even more people to maintain a healthy weight.

If you are an adult who is having a mental health or substance abuse emergency, you may go to any of Philadelphia’s Crisis Response
Centers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

Temple/Episcopal Hospital: 100 E. Lehigh Ave., (215) 707-2577
Friends Hospital: 4641 Roosevelt Blvd., (215) 831-4600
Einstein at Germantown Community Center: 1 Penn Blvd., (215) 951-8300
Mercy Hospital: 501 S. 54th St., (215) 748-9525
Pennsylvania Hospital (Hall Mercer): 8th and Locust streets, (215) 829-5249

Please email any questions or concerns about this story to: [email protected]

Temple/Episcopal Hospital: 100 E. Lehigh Ave. (215) 707-2577
Friends Hospital: 4641 Roosevelt Blvd. (215) 831-4600
Einstein at Germantown Community Center: one Penn Blvd (215) 951-8300
Mercy Hospital:  501 S. 54th St (54th & Cedar Ave.) (215) 748-9525
Pennsylvania Hospital (Hall Mercer):  8 TH and Locust St (215) 829-5249

Please email any questions or concerns about this story to: [email protected].