physically and mentally. i think if you're living with severe, chronic obesity, then it's highly likely that you will have a mental health difficulty. this is not simply about lifestyle choices, it's a tangled mix of genetics, environment and emotion. food has been my- happiness for 15 years. and new research has found a link between obesity and feelings of despair and shame. i didn't realise i had self—confidence issues, i thought i was just an introvert and that was that. but we'll also see how for some, the most advanced treatments can offer a fresh start. india is 28 and she's lived with obesity for most of her life.