When we talk about stress, the first thing that comes into mind is a negative feeling brought about by circumstances wherein we feel like we are being pushed to our limit. It is actually defined as a nonspecific reaction of the body to any demand. Stress is of 2 types: distress and eustress. Eustress is a positive level of stress, which brings about feelings of happiness and desires to achieve an objective, while distress is at the negative end of the spectrum and is associated with feelings of helplessness and worry.
The responses to stress can stimulate a number of hormonal pathways that influences how we react to it, and the one that is particularly linked to weight gain is the response that stimulates the secretion of a hormone called cortisol.
Cortisol is a key hormone that the body relies on when under stress, due to its ability to regulate the energy expenditure through selecting the proper type of energy source the body should use, whether it’s fat, protein or sugar. It can also take these basic sources and pass it on to the tissues that require them.
In normal levels, cortisol is very important in daily activities, and is essential for proper bodily function, but at constantly high levels, it can also lead to deterioration due to the several mechanisms that cortisol influences to promote weight gain. For one, it helps adipocytes, or baby fat cells, develop into mature fat cells. It also attaches to receptors in the brain making the individual prefer to eat foods high in fat and sugar content, and it influences appetite through regulating other chemicals that stimulate hunger.
It is important to note that while eustress and distress both stimulate cortisol release, distress is the only one which brings about weight gain because cortisol levels neutralize with eustress after the activity is done, yet stays at constantly higher levels with distress. The resultant stress-related weight gain is more pronounced in the abdominal area, because the enzymes that activate cortisol are found in higher concentration in the fat cells located in the deep part of the abdomen. Blood flow is also richer in this area, so cortisol in the blood tends to be activated here. The resultant abdominal obesity is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus type 2.
While stress is experienced daily as part of a healthy normal human development, too much stress is detrimental to the health. Exercising daily and practicing proper stress management and coping strategies can help lower the risk of stress-related weight gain.
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