Excess weight has a negative effect on health, but also on the psyche. A new study by South American scientists investigated the link between obesity and anxiety in middle-aged women. The conclusion is unequivocal - women with a larger waist have a higher risk of suffering from anxiety.
The team analyzed data from 5.580 women from 11 South American countries aged 40 to 59. It turns out that the risk for anxiety increases with excess weight.
Scientists hypothesize that hormonal changes may be to blame for both waistline obesity and anxiety. According to the authors of the study, the finding can help doctors in treating middle-aged women because the relationship between waist width and height could alert them to pay attention to anxiety.
By the way, the North American Menopause Society believes that a woman can be considered obese if her waist circumference is greater than half of her height, reports Novosti.
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