Weight loss ‘often coupled with emotional disorders’

Depression and other psychological disorders are a common side effect among people keen to lose weight, it has been claimed.

These problems often come to the surface as people undertake measures to lose weight fast, because individuals are unlocked from their “fat prison” and can talk about feelings, according to the director of the British Obesity Surgery Patients Association Chrissie Palmer.

She added: “Bariatric patients should be able to access appropriate psychological services should they need them at any stage of their weight loss journey.”

Ms Palmer was commenting following research by Diabetes UK, which indicated that people who have a gastric band fitted to lose weight are at risk of low self-esteem, relationship problems and body image dissatisfaction.

This is despite people having the operation reporting significant physical health benefits, such as improved blood pressure levels, better blood glucose levels and lower cholesterol.

How does your gastric band make you feel about your body?