Study links mental health to fitness level

Published on Thursday 8 October 2009 21:11

PEOPLE suffering from mental health problems in the UK are more likely to avoid gyms due to embarrassment.

The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) said its research helps to explain why people with common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, are twice as likely to become obese as those who do not.

Out of 112 people with mental health problems who were questioned, 9 per cent said they would be too embarrassed and 11 per cent said they worried people would judge them.

Of the 138 people who did not have a mental health problem, 1 per cent said they would be too embarrassed and 2 per cent were concerned about being judged. The survey also found that people with mental health problems were four times more likely to have diabetes and more than twice as likely to say they have high blood pressure as those with no mental health history.

SAMH chief executive Billy Watson said: "Our research presents compelling evidence that people with mental health problems often feel unable to attend local exercise facilities.

"We believe it is crucial that mental health problems and obesity do not become an inevitable partnership and immediate action is required to address this."

Ten people with current mental health problems had diabetes compared with three people out of the group with no history of mental health problems.