Public health approaches to the prevention and treatment of obesity must consider the substantial overlap with depression. Some data suggest a 50% increase in risk of depression among obese women. Women with a history of depression or depression treatment are over-represented among those seeking obesity treatment. Current or past depression is also associated with less success in losing weight or maintaining weight loss. Because women with depressive disorders are typically excluded from clinical trials of weight loss treatments, data on the management of comorbid depression and obesity are limited.