Reading the news today I saw a report of a new study linking stress and weight gain. The author of the study, Jason Block, M. D. , M. P. H. , a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar at Harvard University, said
“Today’s economy is stressing people out, and stress has been linked to a number of illnesses – such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and increased risk for cancer. This study shows that stress is also linked to weight gain.”
Some other findings of this study suggest that people who are already overweight get heavier with stress, but not for people who are lower weight.
There are also differences by gender. Women tend to eat more when stressed by financial problems or a difficult work environment, strained family relationships, and a feeling of being limited by life’s circumstances.
Weight gain for men tended to be more likely affected by work problems rather than family problems. Examples include lacking decision authority or lack of skill discretion (the ability to learn new skills on the job and performing interesting work assignments).
“Our findings show that stress should be recognized as a threat to the well-being of adults, especially those who are already overweight.”
I’m not surprised at the findings. Stress is such a negative influence in our lives that I would wager that most of the illnesses we suffer are a result of chronic stress. I think it’s only a matter of time before more studies show the direct linkage.
I think the good news out of this study is that you first recognize that if you have a higher BMI (body mass index), then you need to be watchful of your eating patterns. If you start to gain weight, take a moment to evaluate whether the stress in your life has changed, possibly increasing. If so, take active steps to counteract the stress. Take more walks, make sure you have healthy snacks around, and identify what activating event is causing your stress.
Knowledge is power. Use it to your advantage.
Stress Less and Live More
Dillon
