Stress Can Increase Body Fat

While we have long suspected a connection between stress and weight gain, the relationship was thought to be psychological, as emotional overeating is one of the major causes of weight gain. For many people, the first response to feeling overwhelmed is to reach for food, particularly comfort foods that tend to be high in sugar or fat. However, the link between stress and weight gain is much stronger than originally thought. New research suggests an actual physiological reason that people under stress tend to gain weight. A recent study by the Georgetown University Medical Center showed that mice under stress gain extra weight even if their calorie intake doesn't increase. Stress appears to release a chemical reaction that triggers fat cells to grow and multiply in number.

The extra pounds caused by stress tend to be stored around the belly, as stress may stimulate an enzyme present in particularly high amounts in abdominal fat. This is the most dangerous place for fat to build up, as it increases the risk of heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

The bottom line is that mental and physical relaxation techniques should be incorporated into a weight-loss program.