Stress and its relation with obesity [Stresse e sua relação com a obesidade]

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Melim, D (Author) Other; Pinhão, S (Author) Other; Correia, Flora (Author) FCNAUP

Journal

Title: Revista de Alimentacao Humana

Vol. 19

Pages: 74-81

ISSN: 0873-4364

Publisher: Sociedade Portuguesa de Ciencias da nutricao e Alimentacao

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-H8X

Abstract (EN): Obesity is an epidemic in constant growth. Stress is defined as an actual or implied threat to homeostasis, leading to physiological and behavioral responses, as part of a stress-related adaptation. Responses to stress are performed via the autonomic nervous system and via the hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal axis; the latter is activated by chronic stressors and produces increases in cortisol, which can induce individuals to consume foods with high energy density and potentially lead to weight gain and obesity. This research will be focused on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis because it is the one most related to chronic stress and, consequently, obesity. Stress is involved not only in this homeostatic regulation, but also in the non-homeostatic regulation of food intake, which includes cognitive processes, memory and food reward. Several studies indicate stress as a factor that contributes to obesity; however, some relationships between stress, food intake and obesity are still controversial. This work consists of a review about the evidence on this subject.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific