Obese People Associated with Lower Rates of Suicide

Researchers from Bristol University inEngland tracked 3000 people for 16years and found a correlation betweenan increased body mass index (BMI)and a decreased risk of serious depression.It was determined that, for every 5points a person's BMI increases, therisk of suicide is decreased by about15%. They concluded that skinny peoplewere more likely to be unhappy andcommit suicide than people who wereoverweight/obese. Professor DavidGunnell commented that they weresurprised at the results because "thereis a view that people who are overweightmay be stigmatized and madeto feel depressed."

Ms. Farley is a freelance medicalwriter based in Wakefield, RI.