It's Official - Stress Makes You Fat!
 

Australian scientists have discovered why stress can make us fat.

New research published in an international journal has revealed that chronic stress triggers the body's fat cells to grow and multiply.

The link between stress and obesity has been known for more than a decade but these findings are the first to explain how exactly the connection works.

The research by Australian, US and Slovakian scientists could lead to new therapies that shrink fat cells or make them die.

Professor Herbert Herzog, director of neuroscience at the Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research, said he expected the findings to have a profound effect on the way society deals with the obesity epidemic.

The research team made its discovery by feeding stressed and unstressed mice a "comfort food" diet high in fat and sugar.

The stressed mice gained twice as much fat as unstressed mice, because the stress caused fat to be stored differently.

Prof Herzog said a molecule called neuropeptide Y, released by the body when stressed, appeared to unlock receptors in the body's fat cells, stimulating the cells to grow in size and number.

This same mechanism was expected in humans.

While the stress reaction was normal and unavoidable, scientists are working to block the dangerous knock-on fat reaction that it triggers.

"If we can interfere before it causes fat to amass, it could have a major impact on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer which all have links with obesity," Prof Herzog said.

Study leader Professor Zofia Zukowska, of Georgetown University, said they also hoped to be able to target obesity directly.

"We may be able to reverse or prevent obesity caused by stress and diet, including the worst kind of obesity - the apple-shaped type," Prof Zukowska said.

Source

When I'm stressed out I tend to eat more...and not healthy foods. Thank god I work out and stay active! Stress is the cause of many many things...Life is too short to sweat the small stuff! :thumbsup

I do this. Freaking pigging out everyday right now.

When I'm stressed out I tend to lose weight from not eating. That's probably just as bad.

Thanks for sharing the informations. But I think it depends on the person...

I think when stress it will makes you thin....:1orglaugh

I guess i don't get stressed at all then, considering i'm a skinny ass bastard... :1orglaugh

Steph, you are so practical ... Chris is a lucky man! :thumbsup

Interesting - I dont doubt it as this would explain how I gained about 27 lbs when I started my career - still working to take it off!!!!:upsidedow

Interesting to know but when i'm stressed out I tend not to eat...lost my appetite to be exact.

Interesting. I figured stress causes people to gain weight because some respond to stress by eating more. I guess everyone is different.

As much as I like this theory I know that I struggle with my weight because I love food and hate exercise! LOL
Besides, have you ever watched mice? You got the crazy ones that run the wheel forever and then you got those lazy ones that just lay in the food bowl. LOL
Personality has to take into play but how can they judge such a thing when it comes to mice I wonder?

Opposite for me, when i'm stressed i can't eat anything

not me. when i get super-stressed, my stomach is usually in knots and i don't eat properly (or enough)

stress + http://www.worth1000.com/entries/196...6862yeGD_w.gif = fat

eating fat makes you fat.

stress only helps it.

Who cares really??

People that don't want to be fat or ignorant! :winkwink:

does this mean I should be fat?

i'm stress because i'm fat.... LOL