Stress Eating Makes You Prone to Obesity
Stress can make you prone to obesity and even lead to serious health diseases if left untreated. Learn how stress eating affects your health.
Every person has their way of dealing with stress. Some release it through physical exercises while others keep it on their own.
Meanwhile, there are others who turn to food to get comfort. These people are called “stress eaters”.
Is Stress Eating A Real Thing?
Yes, definitely! Recent studies show that stress can prime the body to store fat, thus making you gain weight.
Researchers are aware that stress often leads to addiction and an increase in developing a disease. There are also studies that show that chronic stress can change a person’s eating patterns and his or her food choices.
Although not everyone eats more when they’re stressed, there are others who tend to increase their consumption of calories.
Medical News Today says that a person’s adrenal glands produce cortisol, which boosts a person’s appetite and their desire to eat dishes with high sugar or fat. When combined with a high level of insulin, it can cause a person to eat more.
A study held at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research showed that while eating junk food is already bad, eating it when you’re stressed increases the chance of developing obesity.
Common Signs Of Stress
The symptoms of stress are often subtle. You’ll barely even recognize it until it’s too late. However, there are a couple of traits frequently shared by those who are suffering from it.
People who are stressed often feel agitated and frustrated. They also become moody and often suffer from low energy and headaches.
Other Negative Consequences Of Stress
Aside from increasing the risk of obesity, stress also has other effects on our body.
Although pressure is a part of a person’s everyday life, chronic stress can lead to serious health problems. It can include mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Even more, people who suffer from chronic stress are prone to heart disease and even stroke.
Additionally, unresolved stress can cause other disorders such as chronic fatigue.
Long-term stress can also lead to gastrointestinal problems, such as gastritis, GERD, and an irritable colon.
When To Seek Help?
Everyone experiences stress in their day-to-day life. It’s up to you how you’ll handle it and eventually overcome it. The best thing that you can do is to educate yourself about the health consequences of stress and its symptoms.
If your loved one is suffering from chronic stress, it’s best to speak with your doctor about it. Several symptoms of anxiety can also be signs of other health issues.
Once you’ve scheduled a visit with the doctor, they will evaluate the symptoms so that they can rule out other health conditions. If stress is the root cause of the problem, they will refer you to a counselor for assistance.
But if it has already progressed to other health conditions such as chronic fatigue, they might advise you to get chronic fatigue treatment to help you with your concern.
In the end, remember that help is always available for people who are suffering from stress eating. It is up to you to look for the right treatment for your needs.
