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A new study has confirmed what psychologists have been saying unanimously for a long time: happiness “grows” only from the soul of the person himself, no luck and achievements can bring it from outside. Even weight loss.
Researchers at University College London looked at data from 1979 overweight or obese Britons*. Over the past 4 years, some of these people, namely 14%, have lost 5% or more weight, and on average – 6,8 kg. Of course, their health and physical well-being, by their own assessment, improved markedly.
But the state of mind – oddly enough, no. Moreover, it turned out that those who lost weight were 52% more likely to experience certain symptoms of depression than their counterparts who remained fat. Moreover, this figure was obtained after the possible influence of some other factors associated with weight loss or mental state, such as serious illness and the death of a spouse, was excluded from the data. The authors of the study, published by them in the open scientific journal PLoS ONE, indicate that Other circumstances, such as the loss of a job or the death of other close people, could also have affected the outcome.
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- Happiness as a work of art
In addition, the sample included predominantly representatives of the white race, and of mature age. So maybe it’s a little different for younger or non-ethnic people. But even with these caveats, the fact remains: people lose weight – and do not become happier. By the way, earlier, in 2012, a gene was already identified that is associated both with the risk of obesity and with an 8% increased risk of depression.
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- Social status or high achievement
As one of the likely reasons, study leader Dr Sarah Jackson (Sarah Jackson) from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London calls the fact that getting rid of excess weight is associated with deprivation and restrictions. In the world of gastronomic temptations, the ban on enjoying the usual food may well prevent you from enjoying a new slender body. In addition, Jackson blames the advertising of a variety of means and methods of weight loss, which inspires unreasonable hopes, promising “instant improvement in all aspects of life.” This does not mean, Jackson emphasizes, that we should stop supporting those who want to lose weight. But this means, for example, that when observing patients losing weight, it makes sense for doctors to pay attention not only to their physical, but also to their mental state.
*«Psychological Changes following Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study», PLoS ONE, August 2014.