The Real Reason Why Mental Health Improves After Weight-Loss Surgery
Lead researcher Larissa McGarrity, a clinical psychologist at University of Utah Health who studies mental health after weight-loss surgery, found that getting rid of the stigma surrounding excess weight, rather than the weight loss itself, is the reason many people feel an improvement in their mental health and a decrease in disordered eating following surgery. Conversely, those who underwent weight loss surgery but still continued to face weight-related stigma were at a higher risk for depression, anxiety, and disordered eating.
Of the 148 patients surveyed, all underwent bariatric surgery. Data was collected before the surgery, as well as 18–36 months afterward. Over 90 percent of the patients reported experiencing weight-related stigma prior to the procedure, while about 60 percent experienced less stigma after the surgery. Those who experienced less stigma saw an improvement in their mental health and physical wellbeing. However, the 40 percent who continued to experience stigma were found to be at higher risk for depression, disordered eating, and weight increases."There's considerable evidence that societal weight stigma is prevalent and has harmful health consequences for people with obesity," Rebecca Puhl, deputy director for the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health at the University of Connecticut, told Live Science. "This new study begins to address this research gap.' (Puhl was not involved in this study.)
McGarrity emphasized that the study cannot directly establish cause and effect because the patient's experiences were self-reported. However, the results of this study suggest that "bariatric surgery patients are not immune to the effects of weight stigma, even years after surgery, even after significant amounts of weight loss.' Both Puhl and McGarrity agree that more research is needed in order to understand how weight-related stigma can affect overall patient health and treatment.
The Real Reason Why Mental Health Improves After Weight-Loss Surgery first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 15, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
3 minutes ago
- Forbes
The New Majority Of Students Spotlights Mental Health And Basic Needs
Basic Needs paper sign Many people think of college students as young adults living on campus and focused on developmental concerns, such as establishing new friends, feeling homesick, and academic pressure. Indeed, many campus support services are designed to fit these perceptions. For example, a 2024 report on outlined how many campus counseling centers were traditionally designed to treat developmental stress. However, because more students are now entering college with significant clinical concerns, new models of campus counseling are needed in the field of college mental health. Likewise, to better promote student wellbeing on a national scale, there needs to be a shift in the mainstream perceptions about who college students are and what their needs might be. The New Majority Of College Students According to a report last month on non-traditional students are the new majority of learners within higher education. Highlights from this report indicated that 40.2% of college students were older than 22, 39.1% had children, and 69.3% had jobs. Furthermore, a 2025 report by Inside Higher Ed outlined a national survey of student basic needs from 91 institutions across 16 states. This survey was conducted by The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, which is a research action center that guides policies and helps colleges and universities address basic needs insecurities on campuses. The survey found that 59% of students experienced at least one form of basic need insecurity, such as food or housing, and that this number increased to 73% when the definition of basic needs included mental health care, childcare, transportation or internet and technology access. Dr. Sara Abelson is The Senior Director of Training and Education at The Hope Center and a faculty member at Temple University. According to Abelson, there's a significant association between mental health challenges and basic needs. She stated, 'It's important to acknowledge that mental health is also a basic need, and one that is impacted by other basic needs.' According to Abelson, many students who lack essential resources become stressed and anxious, which can trigger mental health challenges like depression. Conversely, mental health symptoms can hinder a student's abilities to secure basic needs. Basic Needs For The New Majority Of College Students Rising tuition costs pose significant challenges for many college students, but it's important to note that many schools cannot randomly decide how much tuition will cost. A 2015 report on outlined various factors that determine how much a school's tuition will cost. Some of these factors include annual changes in the general consumer price index, if the state collects sales or income taxes, instructional expenditures, and how much discretionary spending a state legislature has. Furthermore, many schools are making attempts to curb the rise in tuition costs. For example, according to another 2025 report by Inside Higher Ed, tuition discounts are at an all-time high amongst private schools. According to Abelson, many students in the new majority face multiple financial barriers. She said, 'It's not just the cost of college that is increasing but living costs across the board.' In addition to inflation, a 2025 report by outlined changes to federal funding support for college students. Furthermore, many non-traditional students have lingering financial and family obligations. As Abelson pointed out, 'They are working. They are caregiving. They are commuting. And far too many are struggling to afford food, housing, transportation, and mental health care while trying to graduate into a world increasingly stacked against them.' The Importance Of Addressing Students' Basic Needs Basic needs insecurities are related to poor academic outcomes, such as lower GPAs, credit achievement, completion rates, and retention rates. Some might argue that students should not enroll in college unless their basic needs are already met; however, Abelson argued that meeting students' basic needs benefits society because it reduces the number of individuals on public benefits and/or involved in the community health care system. She stated, 'Most students with college degrees also break cycles of poverty and become healthier residents.' Furthermore, Abelson argued that the infrastructure of higher education can improve the efficiency and utilization of established government assistance programs. She stated that many individuals who are eligible for public benefits do not know how to access services, but that college campuses can serve as navigation hubs, even for community members, to address this gap. In addition, she reported that informed policies, such as allowing college enrollment to meet the work requirements in public benefits programs, can increase the utilization of dedicated government funding. Abelson's comments were consistent with the report on which argued that the infrastructure of higher education can be a low-cost service delivery model for mental health in America. Colleges and universities can partner with The Hope Center to collect data and develop systematic ways to address basic need insecurities on their campuses. A 2025 report on The Hope Center's website outlined how these partnerships can work. Abelson argued that since many students face multiple types of basic needs insecurities, schools need to prioritize holistic approaches while addressing the mental health and basic needs of students. She commented, 'Mental health challenges do not exist in isolation; any solutions must address the close link between mental and behavioral health challenges and financial or material basic needs insecurity.'
CBS News
3 minutes ago
- CBS News
9 treated after possible hazmat incident in Southwest Baltimore, firefighters say
Nine people were treated after a possible hazmat incident in Southwest Baltimore, according to the fire department. Firefighters responded around 5 p.m. to the 2100 block of Wicomico Street, where nine people were in need of assistance. A spokesperson said four people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pharmacy warning of unsustainable demand for weight loss medication
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has issued a warning that the burgeoning demand for weight loss injections may be unsustainable, citing a significant mismatch between public interest and clinical suitability for the treatments. The NPA, which represents over 6,000 independent community pharmacies, highlighted this concern. A poll commissioned by the association revealed that 21 per cent of respondents had attempted to access weight loss treatments in the past year, either online or directly from a pharmacy. This figure surged to 35 per cent among 16 to 34-year-olds, contrasting sharply with just seven per cent of those over 55. There were also 41% who agreed they would opt for weight loss treatments on the NHS if they were made available to them. This figure rose to 64% among 25 to 34-year-olds, despite many of these patients being unlikely to be clinically eligible. The NPA says the poll, in which 2,002 people were interviewed, reflects an increasing demand for private and NHS weight loss services. NPA chairman Olivier Picard said: 'Weight loss jabs are one of the biggest drug innovations this century, but growing demand for weight loss treatment highlights the need to make sure this is appropriate for those who want it. 'It's clear from this polling that many more people are interested in getting weight loss jabs than would actually be suitable for treatment. 'We want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most clinical need can benefit from weight loss medication.' Spiralling demand, fuelled partly by social media, could see people being tempted to resort to unregulated online suppliers instead of regulated pharmacies staffed by medical professionals, they fear. Online suppliers may not be offering weight loss jabs alongside a structured programme aimed at helping them change their behaviour. Wegovy and Mounjaro are among a number of drugs that are recommended to help tackle obesity on the NHS. Mounjaro and Wegovy are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in patients with a BMI of over 30 or between 27 and 30 but with a weight-related co-morbidity. This occurs when an individual who has obesity develops another medical condition due to their weight. The NHS currently rolls out Mounjaro to patients with a BMI of over 40 and at least four co-morbidities, the NPA says. The NPA is calling for new regulations to protect patients buying weight loss medication online, so there is a full two-way consultation and all relevant historical medical records are reviewed before the treatment is prescribed. They are waiting for more details about the role pharmacies could play in the rollout of the NHS weight management programme. At least 85% of weight loss medication prescriptions were made by pharmacies in April this year, the NPA estimates. Mr Picard said: 'Pharmacists are experts in medication and many have extensive experience delivering weight loss injections as part of a package of care, including lifestyle advice. 'Pharmacies are well placed to help roll this treatment out on the NHS, and help people make the best use of these powerful medicines.'
