Study: Contrary to Stereotype, Obese Are Not More Jolly

The image of fat people as jolly is false and obesity does not protect people from mental health woes, according to researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Researchers looked at eight different indicators of mental health problems in order to test the accuracy of the stereotype of "jolly fat."

Researchers analyzed data from a 1994 long-term study of 1,739 California residents who were at least 50 years old and who provided information on body mass index and mental health. They also used follow-up data on the participants gathered in 1999.

Measures of mental health included overall happiness, life and relationship satisfaction, positive or negative mental state, feeling loved, depression and optimism. Researchers also looked at the participants' social support, level of financial strain, number of recent stress-inducing life events, chronic medical conditions and frequency of exercise.

"In no case did we observe better mental health among the obese," said Robert E. Roberts, PhD, co-author of the study. In sum, the obese were not more jolly."

There has been limited research data on whether obese people have fewer or more mental health problems than the general public. Roberts and his research team found 16 studies on the subject and in seven of them obesity had a negative effect on mental health. Six of the studies showed a positive link between obesity and mental health and no link was found in three studies.

Researchers suggest further research is needed on issues including whether there is a link between obesity and anxiety and how nutrition affects mental health.

"Data are also needed on the natural history of obesity and mental health to ascertain the nature and magnitude of reciprocal effects and the implication of such effects for prevention and treatment," the authors concluded.

Other sources: Center for the Advancement of Health