{"id":586,"date":"2021-11-27T06:03:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-27T06:03:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-09-05T00:01:53","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T16:01:53","slug":"how-to-overcome-stress-induced-obesity-or-stress-belly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/how-to-overcome-stress-induced-obesity-or-stress-belly\/","title":{"rendered":"Stress Belly: How to Overcome Stress-Induced Obesity"},"content":{"rendered":"

How can you overcome a stubborn stress belly? It\u2019s becoming more widely known that excess stress can lead to excess belly fat<\/a>. There are a host of factors that influence your weight, from your genetics to your dietary choices. While many people know that fat-laden and processed foods will increase their chances of weight gain, most don\u2019t realize that a major cause of weight gain is actually their emotional state.<\/p>\n

Stress-induced obesity, stress-related weight gain and \u201cstress belly\u201d are all examples of conditions wherein people pack on the pounds during periods of excess stress. Whether the extra weight is a result of unhealthy food choices, stress eating, or a side-effect of high cortisol levels, experts agree that managing stress is key to controlling your weight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explore how stress influences your ability to maintain the right weight.<\/p>\n

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What Does Stress Do to Your Body? Stress and Cortisol<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Stress is often described as an emotional, psychological experience. However, stress has a physical impact on us as well. Even if you don\u2019t notice the physical side effects of stress<\/a> straight away, every period of emotional overwhelm does something to your body.<\/p>\n

From tense muscles to tension headaches, feelings of irritation or a rapid heart rate, stress takes a toll on your health, both mentally, and physically. While you\u2019ll notice some effects of stress straight away, like an increased heart rate, other symptoms will take longer to become recognizable. This is usually the case with weight gain.<\/p>\n

One of the most significant factors influencing the physical impact of stress on your body is the hormone cortisol. We naturally create this hormone in the adrenal glands, producing increased levels in response to threats. If you\u2019re constantly experiencing stress, your body will always be dealing with a \u201cperceived threat\u201d, which means cortisol levels stay high.<\/p>\n

So, why is cortisol such a problem?<\/p>\n

Cortisol and its Impact on Body Weight<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Excess cortisol is a significant problem because the hormone can be an appetite stimulant. To engage in the \u201cfight or flight\u201d response and deal with a threat, cortisol tells your body to release glucose for energy. This leaves your brain and body craving additional energy, often in the form of sugar-laden foods. That\u2019s why many people with high-stress levels crave fast food and candy.<\/p>\n

Sugar provides us with the quick energy our bodies think they need. Unfortunately, the more sugar you eat, the more your body starts to store<\/a>, often in the form of dangerous tummy fat. High-stress levels often lead to a vicious cycle of stressful eating.<\/p>\n

Aside from damaging your relationship<\/a> with food, cortisol also slows your metabolism, making it harder to lose weight. A study from Ohio state university<\/a> found that women who reported one or more \u201cstressors\u201d during the 24 hours prior to eating a high-calorie meal cut through 104 calories more than non-stressed women.<\/p>\n

The women with stress in the study also had higher insulin levels. The higher your insulin levels, the more likely your body is to store fat. \u00a0Unfortunately, the weight gained from stress eating is also more likely to lead to visceral fat storage, which is the difficult-to-lose fat around the abdomen. Visceral fat contains more cytokines<\/a> than subcutaneous fat, which can cause inflammation, and chronic health problems. Visceral fat can also prompt a higher risk of insulin resistance.<\/p>\n

According to Harvard Health, higher levels of visceral fat increase your risk of:<\/p>\n