Inflammation in Obesity Linked to Poorer Mental Health and Self-Esteem

Dr. Phibakordor L Nonglait, MD DM (Endo), Specialist Civil Hospital Shillong, Meghalaya. 

Higher inflammation in obesity is linked to more depression symptoms and lower self-esteem.

Obesity affects both body and mind. It is linked to conditions like depression, low self-esteem, and eating disorders, which reduce quality of life. This relationship is bidirectional, where each can worsen the other. Obesity is also driven by multiple factors, including genetic, lifestyle, and environmental influences, with inflammation and oxidative stress playing a key role.

A recent study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology examined how inflammatory and oxidative stress markers relate to metabolic, emotional, and mental health in people with obesity. The study included 122 metabolically unhealthy individuals with obesity. Researchers assessed body measurements and biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers. They also evaluated sleep quality, self-esteem, depression, and overall health using questionnaires.

Inflammatory marker tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and ratio of oxidized low-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL to LDL) were higher in people with high blood pressure and high blood sugar. These markers also rose as the number of metabolic syndrome features increased. Higher interleukin-6 (IL-6) was linked to lower self-esteem, while higher TNF-α was linked to more depression symptoms.

The findings suggest that inflammation may connect obesity with mental health issues. Addressing this link could support better overall management of obesity.

(Reference: Amerikanou C, Valsamidou E, Kleftaki S-A, Gioxari A, Koutoulogenis K, Aroutiounova M, Stergiou I and Kaliora AC (2023) Peripheral inflammation is linked with emotion and mental health in people with obesity. A “head to toe” observational study. Front. Endocrinol. 14:1197648. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1197648)