New findings in a study from the University of Washington have shown that depression, obesity and alcohol abuse or dependency are interrelated conditions for women.

Data was collected from young adults when they were 24, 27 and 30 years of age. The amount of overlap for emotional and health problems was very high among the women. Men with one of the conditions did not tend to develop another one as a result.

The study found that:

• Women with an alcohol disorder at age 24 were more than three times as likely to be obese when they were 27.
• Women who are obese at 27 were more than twice as likely to be depressed when they were 30.
• Women who are depressed at 27 were at increased risk for alcohol disorders at 30. 

Although no step-by-step progression was uncovered, it is important for people suffering from these disorders and their doctors to know that one may lead to another.