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A recent study conducted by the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and published in Frontiers in Psychiatry has found a significant link between antidepressant use and weight gain. The research, which analyzed follow-up data from the REGICOR study (Registre Gironí del Cor), revealed that individuals taking antidepressants experienced an average weight gain of 2% over six years.
Study Details
The study tracked 3,127 adults, including 1,700 women, with an average age of 55. Among these participants, 16.4% reported using antidepressants at some point during the study period. This included 5.1% who used them continuously, 6.2% who initiated treatment during the study, and 5.1% who discontinued use after initially taking them.
Overall, all participants gained some weight, averaging an increase of half a kilogram over six years. However, those on antidepressant therapy experienced a more pronounced increase. According to Dr. Camille Lassale, a researcher at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), “All individuals taking antidepressants had a higher likelihood of gaining weight and developing obesity. This risk is even greater for those who use these medications continuously.”
Key Findings
The research took into account the well-established bidirectional relationship between depression and obesity, along with other contributing factors such as diet quality and physical activity levels. However, the association between antidepressant use and weight gain persisted regardless of age, sex, socioeconomic background, lifestyle habits, or the presence of depressive symptoms.
Participants who stopped using antidepressants after initially taking them experienced an additional 1.8% weight gain compared to those who never took the medication. Those who started treatment during the study or continued use throughout the six-year period saw a 2% increase in body weight. Among the latter group, the risk of developing obesity doubled. Continuous antidepressant users were more frequently older adults, women, and individuals with less healthy lifestyles.
Clinical Implications
Gabriela Lugon, a researcher at Hospital del Mar and a resident physician in Preventive Medicine and Public Health, emphasized the importance of monitoring weight changes in patients prescribed antidepressants. “We cannot simply prescribe antidepressants for their positive effects without also considering this side effect,” Lugon stated. The study authors stress the necessity of tracking weight and other cardiometabolic health markers in patients undergoing treatment.
Dr. Víctor Pérez, head of the Psychiatry Department at Hospital del Mar, reinforced the effectiveness of antidepressants for treating mental health disorders but acknowledged that some medications, such as mirtazapine and paroxetine, are more strongly associated with weight gain. “Due to the risk of patients discontinuing treatment because of weight gain, we must consider alternative therapeutic strategies to complement pharmacological treatment,” he added.
Broader Context
Depression affects approximately 280 million people worldwide, with women being twice as likely to experience it compared to men. At the same time, 650 million people suffer from obesity, underscoring the complex relationship between these two conditions. Weight gain remains one of the primary reasons patients stop taking antidepressants, highlighting the need for more comprehensive treatment approaches. Spain, along with Sweden and Portugal, has some of the highest antidepressant usage rates in Europe.
The study was conducted with contributions from researchers at the CIBER for Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), the CIBER for Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV), Ramon Llull University, the University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, University College London, IDIAP Jordi Gol, and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute Dr. Josep Trueta (IdIBGi). This marks the first study of its kind in Spain.
Reference
Camille Lassale et al., “Trajectories of Antidepressant Use and 6-Year Change in Body Weight: A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study,” Frontiers in Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1464898
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Individuals concerned about weight gain related to antidepressants should consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to their medication regimen.
