Mental health and obesity

Purpose Obesity is a significant public health issue. With obesity increasing worldwide, risk factors for obesity need to be better understood and require careful examination. This study aims to examine mental health as a risk factor for obesity using longitudinal data from Australia. Design/methodology/approach The main identification strategy relies on the recent death of a close friend and a serious injury or illness to a family member as exogenous shocks to mental health. Findings The authors’ preferred estimates, which account for the endogeneity of mental health, suggest that mental health has a significant negative impact on obesity. This result proves to be robust to a suite of sensitivity checks. Further investigations reveal that poor mental health leads to increased smoking, which also has an effect on obesity. Originality/value The study’s findings provide a new perspective on how good mental health helps curb obesity.