What’s the scoop on antidepressants and weight gain?
No matter your feeling on antidepressants or their effectiveness at treating depression, a big question is, “How much weight will someone gain if they take an antidepressant?” Is someone more likely to gain weight on one type of antidepressant versus another?
Antidepressants are commonly prescribed drugs, and it’s known that weight gain is a side effect. As the country tackles a growing obesity epidemic, one topic that is often omitted from the conversation is weight gain caused by prescription medication. My podcast guest decided to look into this, and he started with antidepressants.
On a recent episode of Causes or Cures, I have a conversation with Dr. Jason Block about his research on weight gain caused by antidepressants. He compares weight gain across different drugs prescribed for depression and explains what those taking these medications should expect. Dr. Block also discusses other medications his team is evaluating for weight gain, explores why these medications cause weight gain, and shares the practical implications of his findings in relation to the obesity epidemic.
Dr. Jason Block, MD, MPH, is a physician, researcher, and associate professor in population health medicine at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on social and environmental determinants of weight gain and obesity, as well as innovative strategies to improve diet quality.
This is a really informative podcast for anyone prescribing antidepressants and anyone taking them, because, let’s face it, weight gain is a concern for all of us! Tune in HERE.
After you listen to the episode, you can also check out this one on the six types of depression. Did you think there was just one? The field is changing, folks, it’s changing. (For the better I might add). :)
Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter if you want to stay up-to-date on who will appear on the Causes or Cures Podcast next! ;)