The impact of anxiety and depression among overweight and obese young adults (18-25 years) in high-income countries.

Abstract

Background: Existing research reveals that the prevalence of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are driven by external and internal stigma. And patients have employed various coping strategies, including, emotional eating, cognitive restructuring, healthy dietary choices, self-monitoring, physical activity, seeking social support, and confrontation, offering insights for targeted interventions. Therefore, this review evaluates the impact of anxiety and depression on obesity and overweight among young adults (aged 18-25) in high-income countries using a systematic review design.

Methods: This systematic literature review used the SPIDER framework to design the review questions. Following the PRISMA framework, peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2013 and 2023 were selected for analysis. Studies were extracted from three databases: Medline, ERIC and CINAHL Plus with full text. These databases were chosen for their comprehensive coverage of high-quality research related to obesity, mental health, and young adults in high- income countries, ensuring a robust systematic review. Thematic synthesis was applied to uncover patterns and relationships in the data, and ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the review process.

Results: In the thematic synthesis, 7 themes were identified relating to body image perceptions. Participants expressed mixed emotions influenced by societal norms and personal attitudes. Cultural ideals and barriers to engagement with weight loss services were also prominent. Motivations for weight loss encompassed appearance and health-based reasons. The findings underscore the complex nature of body image and its impact on mental well-being.

Conclusion: The findings highlight how coping strategies, like exercise and peer support, play a role in managing mental health challenges. However, further targeted research is needed to address the specific experiences of this population. Recommendations were made for evidence- based interventions and policies to support the mental well-being of young adults with obesity in high-income countries.