Everyday stress may lead to over eating, weight gain, obesity

New study strengthens link between everyday stress and obesity using an animal model — Study using animal model shows stress has impact in the short term causing metabolic changes in the longer term that contribute to obesity – Stress can take a daily toll on us that has broad physical and psychological implications. Science has long documented the effect of extreme stress, such as war, injury or traumatic grief on humans. Typically, such situations cause victims to decrease their food intake and body weight. Recent studies, however, tend to suggest that social stress–public speaking, tests, job and relationship pressures–may have the opposite effect–over-eating and weight gain.

Genes, lower reward response linked to weight gain, obesity

Yale researchers tie genes, lower reward response to weight gain and obesity. – The brains of obese people seem to respond to a tasty treat with less vigor than the brains of their leaner peers, suggesting obese people may overeat to compensate for a reduced reward response, according to a new brain imaging and genetics study conducted by researchers at Yale University, The John B. Pierce Laboratory, the University of Texas and Oregon Research Institute.

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