Psychological Factors in Obesity

Obesity is a widely health problem, a chronic disease characterized by a body mass index (BMI) larger than 30 kg/m2. Looking at the psychological part that can influence obesity, we put together various factors leading to this health issue. Adverse childhood experiences, which often persist into adulthood, can lead to psychological challenges, including self-consciousness and negative body image. Depression and obesity share a bidirectional relationship, where depression can lead to changes in appetite and activity levels, while obesity can contribute to body image issues and social stigma. Stress, cortisol, and obesity are closely related, with stress triggering physical responses that affect food intake and fat storage. Also, we aimed to emphasize the importance of therapy and its crucial role in obesity prevention.