Study shows long term Depression leads to visceral fat accumulation in the belly area

A new study published June 14, 2010, by the University of Alabama at Birmingham confirms the relationship between depression and abdominal obesity, which has been linked to an increased risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease.

During a 15-year period, those who started out reporting high levels of depression gained weight at a faster rate than others in the study, but starting out overweight did not lead to changes in depression.

The University researchers further called for additional attention to the treating of depression, as a means of helping prevent unhealthy physical changes.