Study Explains Why Stress and Binge Eating are Bad for Women’s Health

Too much stress followed by intake of junk food affects metabolism and increases body weight in women, according to a new study.

It is known that handling stressful events takes a toll on mental and physical health. Stress induces people to binge on unhealthy food, drink alcohol and smoke tobacco. Researchers at the Ohio State University found another reason why stress is bad for women's health.

 Their study involved 58 women aged 53 on average whose mental status, physical activity levels and involvement in stressful incidents on the prior day were recorded to ascertain how their body reacted after eating high caloric-meals like turkey sausage, French fries and hamburger a day after the stressful event.

These women consumed meals having 960 grams of calories and 60 grams of fat and underwent blood tests to measure metabolic rate, blood sugar, triglyceride, insulin and cortisol levels. The results revealed women who were stressed were able to burn 104 calories lesser than non-stressed participants within in seven hours after eating fatty food. This mean reduction in the metallic rate increases their body weight by 11 pounds in one year.

In addition, stress elevated insulin production in the body that led to excessive storage of fat and reduced fat oxidation or burning up of fat to supply energy.

"This means that, over time, stressors could lead to weight gain," said Jan Kiecolt-Glaser,  study author and professor of psychiatry and psychology at the Ohio State University in a news release.

 "We know from other data that we're more likely to eat the wrong foods when we're stressed, and our data say that when we eat the wrong foods, weight gain becomes more likely because we are burning fewer calories," she adds.

In those who were previously diagnosed with depressive symptoms, stress caused sudden rise in triglyceride levels after eating junk meals, making them more susceptible to heart diseases.

"With depression, we found there was an additional layer. In women who had stress the day before and a history of depression, triglycerides after the meal peaked the highest. The double whammy of past depression as well as daily stressors was a really bad combination," said Kiecolt-Glaser.

The authors believe even though it is tough to avoid situations that cause stress and affect mental wellbeing, one can definitely reduce the risk of obesity and related conditions by eating healthy food. They suggest stacking up nutritious and healthy food like fruits and vegetables than treats and snacks in the house to binge when we are felling blue.

More information is available online in the journal Biological