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Obesity and Depression in Women
Presentation topics will address depression among women who come from Asian cultures and include depression triggers in the different stages of women’s lives.
Other topics include the links between obesity and depression such as-- cultural conflicts, isolation, family dynamics, dependence, and domestic violence. Saheli moderator will guide you to what resources are available, and where to find the best help.
Distinguished speakers are professionals in the field and include Sukanya Ray, Ph. D. Assistant Professor of Psychology at Suffolk University, and Marie McDonnell MD, Boston University School of Medicine. Obesity and depression are common disorders of women. They occur more frequently in women than in men. These disorders not only affect the women with the disorder, but also usually have a significant influence on the health of their children. Depression and obesity constitute a vicious cycle in women and it is very difficult to decide which comes first. A negative body image leads to low self-esteem and depression.
Depression often does lead to unhealthy food habits, which eventually lead to obesity. Childhood obesity is actually a raging epidemic in this country. Certain population groups including Asian children are at a high risk for this "disease". Studies have shown certain stages in women's life cycle are also significant triggers for obesity and depression. Several population studies have proven beyond doubt that, puberty and menopause are significant periods in a woman’s life that predisposes them to both obesity and depression. Postpartum depression (depression after delivery) is quite prevalent in women. A recent study in the UK shows that depression and obesity are major causes of death related to pregnancy. Obesity leads to several sequelae all of which significantly decrease the life expectancy of women. In fact, the single most common cause of death in women in the US is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (heart disease), which is a direct consequence of obesity. Obesity also predisposes women to develop diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis and several other such chronic illnesses. Awareness and support are the first steps in battling these disorders. With that thought in mind, during National Women’s Health Week, Drs. Lija Joseph, Marie McDonnell and Sukanya Ray will be joining hands with Saheli, in collaboration with Lahey Clinic to promote women’s health at their second health forum. The topic for discussion is Obesity and Depression in Women. Learning how to break the cycle in particular will be addressed. The program is from 1:30-3:30 and discussions will include new research presented by these exciting speakers who work directly with women. The experts spoke frankly with us on the problems and the solutions. Presented here are the issues, which the forum will address. The problems of depression and obesity in women start so much earlier now, as childhood obesity is growing at an alarming rate. What factors contribute to these disorders? Moderator - Dr. Lija Joseph - Assistant Professor, BU School of Medicine, pathologist and cardiologist has done much research on obesity, and its link to heart disease. Some of the factors that she mentions are: 80% of children of parents who suffer from obesity and depression are likely to have these traits themselves, lack of physical activity, especially since so many neighborhoods are not safe to go out and play in, working parents are not home when the children get there so they sit in front of the TV and eat high sugar snacks There are several times during a woman’s life that makes her susceptible. For those with high stress level jobs or when a life change, such as marriage occurs, these factors can greatly affect the risk levels too. We obviously need to be educated on the subjects of and obesity and depression, and then in turn, pass the information on in order to break the cycle. In this vain, how can we as adult women help to prevent this from happening to our children (in particular our daughters), as well as ourselves and if we already suffer from it, where can we go for help? “Many people consider mental health issues as tabu, especially in the South Asian community, so it isn’t talked about. The community needs to be aware and address it. Look at it as it is - a disease where medicine can help. It’s not something that is “just in your head,â€â€™ says Joseph. “It needs to be understood that it is a treatable disease. Educate yourself (and others), take control of your own health and seek treatment – Be Empowered! You’ve setup the Women’s Health Forum in collaboration with the Lahey Clinic. Can you tell us exactly what to expect at this two-hour event on June 10th? Since mood affects the food we eat and visa versa, we will be serving healthy food at the forum. The two speakers, Dr. Marie McDonnell and Dr. Sukanya Ray will be back to back. Following this, there will me a thirty-minute interactive Q&A session. There will also be informational handouts for anyone who wants them. Will you be having other such events in the near future? Yes. The Center of Excellence at Boston Medical actually distributes promotional brochures. Attached is an event questionnaire of topics for future events. Anything else you’d like to add? As a big advocate of Breast Cancer and its prevention, Dr. Joseph relates how important it is for all women to get a mammogram. “I was giving a lecture on pathology to both medical and dental students, when a dental student asked why they needed to hear about breast cancer awareness as they were in the dental not the medical field. After explaining how important prevention was, as it could boil down to a matter of life or death if not detected early enough, the student went home and prompted to the point of insisting that her mom, a nurse for 20 years go for a mammogram. She did finally go and the cancer was caught in the early stages and the treatment was able to save her life. Now she encourages all her fellow nurses to go for a mammogram too.†Marie E. McDonnell, MD - Attending Physician in Endocrinology working with women and cardiovascular diseases - Boston Obesity and Nutrition Research Center is also the director of the Inpatient Diabetes Program at Boston Medical Center Her presentation is titled “Obesity in Various Stages of a Woman’s Life†She tells us that there is a risk of obesity in women at various stages in their life - trigger points - Utero - period - puberty - pregnancy - menopause – elder years. Women are especially unique in their risk for gaining weight, so setting up a program of weight management and prevention is crucial. Women of South Asia, India in particular also have an increased risk of getting diabetes because of the increase in weight. Sukanya Ray, PhD - Assistant Professor of Psychology at Suffolk University - Clinician at the Asian Clinic - Cambridge Health Alliance - providing individual, couple and family therapy Her presentation will discuss the relationship between ‘Food and Mood’. The emphasis will be on eating issues and how most people experience mood problems, namely depression and anxiety. It is important to understand the cycle. Depression can restrict eating or result in overeating. Research has also shown that certain foods can lead to certain moods, which wasn’t realized prior. Factors for most women include: individual body image, self esteem, dissatisfied with their body, family conflicts (plays a major role in not being satisfied with their bodies), peer pressure, TV, movie, media and advertisements All three doctors acknowledge that the West has identified and is working with the complexities of eating disorders, obesity and depression. Whereas, the Eastern cultures still have not accepted that it is necessary to openly speak about these and other mental issues. Knowledge about these important health issues is crucial if women are to be empowered to take control of their lives and help to either prevent or stop the cycles of obesity and depression.
Date: 06/10/2006
Location: Lahey clinic auditorium, 41 mall road, Burlington, MA
Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Cost: free of charge
Contact: Rita Shah at 339-234-0738
Web: www.saheliboston.org
Email: ritashah@mail.com
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