We're Stressed Out

I've recently realized that the reason I was an overweight kid was from lack of activity, and that was from depression. I knew from an early age that something wasn't right in my head, and by the time I knew I was overweight, it was too late. Then again, maybe if I had joined a sport, maybe if I had stuck with all the good diet plans I started, maybe if I learned earlier that skipping breakfast was a bad idea, maybe if I learned to enjoy exercise earlier, maybe if gym teachers encouraged me instead of ignoring me. But I was a sad little girl, and I turned into a sad fat little girl, who fantasized about eating anything I wanted to eat. When I turned 16, I got my wish, and the summer that happened, I had actually lost weight, and I looked good starting my Junior year. But I slowly gained weight that year with everything that I ate, even as I attempted exercise.]

But what, exactly caused my mental illness? My mom said that she read a study that indicated that stress during pregnancy can lead to mental illness in the child. My mother, apparently, was very stressed out at work while she was pregnant with me. I've also read that children with low seratonin levels become depressed if they spend a large chunk of time around their peers as opposed to their mother [yes, mother, they didn't mention father]. Thats why I support generous maternity leave.

In America's struggle with obesity, few seem to be mentioning stress and mental illness. I'd argue that the generation growing up right now is the most stressed out, overworked, underinspired, overmedicated generation to date. And when most families need two incomes to survive, in an economy that doesn't allow for natural processes, is it a wonder that kids are fat? Is it any wonder that kids can't sleep?

UPDATE: Mom's anxiety or depression can affect brain development, study suggests