Childhood Depression linked to Weight Gain

Childhood Depression linked to weight gain.

Recent study discovered that both antidepressant use and depression diagnoses were associated with increasing body mass index (BMI) in older children and teenagers. They also found that this association strengthened over time, meaning the longer the child had been taking the antidepressants or had the diagnoses of depression the higher the BMI.

The strongest associations were found when the child had received treatment for their depression for more than 12 months and when using selective re uptake inhibitors.

Children who are depressed and not receiving medication should still be monitored for weight gain and the studies do not answer the question of whether the weight caused the depression or the depression caused the weight.

If your child is suffering with depression a great way to not only monitor their weight, but to help their depression as well is to keep them moving.

Exercise offers significant benefits in the treatment of mental illness and mood disorders. Exercise matches the benefits achieved with medications for depression and helps to prevent relapses in the long term.

It is also important to ensure that they maintain a healthy gut. Studies now confirm that anxiety is passed through gut bacteria.  Prenatal and early-life stress create negative gut microbiome alterations during critical neurodevelopmental periods that continue into adulthood unless treated. Children who have early life stress or repeated antibiotic use are most vulnerable to mental disorders.  Our gut colonization programs our stress response systems in ourselves and our biological children. 

Second Nature supports healthy exercise with physical assessment, clear recommendations and motivational tools. We discuss exercise and create a go to plan for every patient.