The impact of obesity on quality of life

An important association exists between obesity and mental illness that impacts all aspects of an individual's quality of life. This association can begin early in the developmental trajectory and we do not yet completely understand all the mechanisms linking obesity and mental illness. What we e do know is that physical health factors that often occur secondary to obesity, combined with societal attitudes toward those that are obese coupled with iatrogenic treatment factors linked to psychiatric pharmacotherapy and a number of biologic mediators result in an important and increasing common comorbidity. Recognizing this association is essential for the proper management of both conditions. The following review addresses this issue and provides clinical pearls to help deal with this issue.