Stress makes women overeat

Stress is one of the factors that lead to overeating and may cause health issues like diabetes and obesity. The hormonal imbalances during stress lead to the tendencies of overeating. Research shows that people crave for overeating, eating high-fat or sugary food when they are prone to stress.

A study shows that an average American experiences 8 points of stress on a 10-point indicator. A layer called hypothalamus, which resides in the brain causes the reduction in appetite due to imbalances in the fight of flight hormone or adrenaline when a person is experiencing stress. Most of the researchers identified the connection between weight gain and stress. Sometimes, hormonal imbalances due to stress lead to overeating and obesity.

If you are suffering from stress for a long time, the hormone called cortisol is released by the brain and this hormone develops the tendency to overeat. Some of the causes of stress-related appetite may be hormonal imbalances and lifestyle disorders. Such lifestyle disorders may be overthinking and lack of proper food habits.

Crave for sugary foods

Crave for consuming fatty or sugary foods can be caused by hunger-hormone or cortisol. Overconsumption of sugary foods generally leads to obesity and other lifestyle diseases. Undigested fatty and sugary food cause hormonal imbalances in the brain. Ghrelin, a hormone related to hunger, may lead to sugary food cravings. Foods which are high in sugars and calories may cause the release of hormones that lead to stress. Stress may cause people to sleep less, drink more, and exercise less in addition to overeating and all these factors lead to obesity and diabetes.

Why most women overeat due to stress?

Research shows that to overcome stress, men switch to excessive smoking and drinking and women tend to overeat. Scientists of Finland and Harvard showed how stress is interrelated to overeating among women when compared to men. Stress can be caused due to work or emotional pressures but the release of insulin is affected in most of the women when compared to men if they are prone to stress. Stress-related overeating may be possible in case of high levels of insulin release.

Most of the women admitted that they are prone to stress-snacking when they tend to tackle daily hassles and it became their lifestyle in the long run.

Steps to overcome stress-snacking

• Keep your refrigerator or cupboards away from high-calorie, fatty and sugary foods.
• Meditation helps you to reduce stress, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Reduction in stress levels helps you to get rid of stress-snacking.
• Replace comfort foods with high-fiber and high-protein food and inculcate the habit of taking nine meals a day with healthy foods.
• Exercises blended with yoga and meditation will help you out to reduce stress and prevent stress-snacking.
• Consuming lots of water in a systematic manner reduces the tendency to overeat as hydration helps the proper functioning of body mechanisms and contribute to reduce the stress levels.
• Maintain a healthy bond with family and acquaintances. This will help to overcome stress and thus reduces stress-related hunger.

Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women.

http://www.womenscenter.com/