Obesity is a global health problem that affects millions of people and increases the risk of various diseases and premature death. But what if there is another factor that makes obesity even more deadly? A recent study has revealed that loneliness and social isolation are major risk factors for mortality in people with obesity, and that improving social and mental health can reduce this risk significantly.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open⁷, analyzed data from nearly 400,000 people from the UK BioBank, a large biomedical database and research resource that follows people long-term. The researchers matched people with obesity with people without obesity who had similar characteristics, such as age, sex, race, education, and lifestyle factors. They then assessed their levels of social isolation and loneliness, using validated scales and questionnaires.
The results showed that people with obesity who felt less lonely and socially isolated had a 36% lower risk of death from all causes, compared to people with obesity who felt more lonely and socially isolated. This difference was even more pronounced for death from cardiovascular causes, such as heart attack and stroke. The researchers also found that people without obesity could lower their mortality risk if they were more socially active.
The study suggests that loneliness and social isolation are not only harmful for mental health, but also for physical health, especially for people with obesity. The authors explained that loneliness and social isolation may affect obesity-related mortality through several mechanisms, such as increasing inflammation, impairing immune function, altering hormone levels, and affecting behavior and lifestyle choices.
The study also highlights the importance of addressing social and mental health issues in preventing obesity-related illness and death. The authors recommended that health care providers and policy makers should consider interventions that target loneliness and social isolation, such as promoting social support, community engagement, and psychological counseling, for people with obesity.
The study adds to the growing evidence that social determinants of health, such as income, education, environment, and social relationships, play a crucial role in shaping health outcomes and disparities. As the world faces a pandemic that has increased social isolation and loneliness for many people, the study underscores the need for more attention and action to improve social and mental well-being for people with obesity and beyond.