Combined Treatment for Obesity and Depression: A Pilot Study

Objective Obesity and depression frequently co‐occur, and each increases risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study tested whether a combined treatment, targeting obesity and depression simultaneously, would yield greater improvements in weight, mood, and CVD risk factors than treatments that targeted each disease individually. Methods Seventy‐six participants with obesity and major depression were randomly assigned to (1) behavioral weight control (BWC), (2) cognitive behavioral therapy for depression (CBT‐D), or (3) BWC combined with CBT‐D. Participants were provided 18 group treatment sessions over 20 weeks. Mood, weight, and CVD risk were assessed at baseline and weeks 8 and 20, with a follow‐up visit at week 46. Results At week 20, participants in combined treatment lost significantly (P