Can stress cause weight gain?

Weight gain is not uncommon among people under regular stress, but is it a direct or indirect consequence of stress?

Stress is defined as a state of worry or mental tension by the World Health Organization. On a neurobiological level, it is associated with the secretion of cortisol. Stress causes physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, digestive problems, and sleep disturbances, as well as psychological symptoms such as anxiety, irritation, and even depression. As a result, people are often driven to find an outlet for these physical or mental tensions, in the form of addictions such as sugar.

Indeed, stress can trigger the craving for comfort foods rich in sugar or fat. A team of researchers has demonstrated a link between the activation of stress-responsive neurons and increased carbohydrate consumption in mice. Moreover, as stress reduces energy metabolism, calories can quickly accumulate. An additional stress-related factor that can lead to weight gain through disruption of energy metabolism is insomnia, or sleep problems in general.

Weight gain is a very common phenomenon that can have significant long-term consequences, such as increasing the risk of heart and metabolic diseases, cancers and joint problems. There are simple ways of limiting stress and the associated weight gain, such as regular physical activity, meditation, adopting good sleeping habits and, of course, eating a varied and balanced diet.