Unhealthy Habits Linked to Depression and Anxiety

According to research, depression and anxiety are linked to everyday unhealthy habits including smoking, drinking, and lack of exercise.

The study results, published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), marked a direct correlation between these activities and a persons chances of suffering from depression, anxiety or both.

The study was led by Dr. Tara Strine of the adult and community sector of the CDC. The data analyzed for the results was collected during a survey taken in 2006 by more than 215,000 people. The survey was a telephone survey aimed at collecting information on the commonness of some of the major health risk factors among the United State population.

The survey centered on depression and anxiety reports from the participants related to common conditions and habits. Of the participants surveyed, approximately 9% claimed to be currently fighting depression, 16% reported a history of depression and 12% reported having trouble with anxiety in the past. When compared to the reports of obesity and daily habits of drinking and smoking, researchers found the link between the conditions and the illnesses.

Of the participants who had previously dealt with depression or who were currently dealing with depression, 60% also fell into the obese weight range and were two times more likely to report smoking as a daily habit, as well.

A link was also found between anxiety and related habits with 30% of the participants who suffered from anxiety also falling into the obese weight range with a likelihood of smoking two times higher than those who were not obese.

Researchers believe this link should change the way depression and anxiety disorders should be treated. Instead of focusing on the mental health issues of the patient, the physical conditions should be treated as well for an overall combined reduction in depression and anxiety.

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