Stress, cortisol, and other appetite‐related hormones: Prospective prediction of 6‐month changes in food cravings and weight

Abstract

Objective To examine whether baseline chronic stress, morning cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones (leptin, ghrelin, and insulin) predict future weight gain and food cravings in a naturalistic longitudinal 6-month follow-up study. Methods A prospective community cohort of three hundred and thirty-nine adults (age=29.1± 9.0 years; BMI=26.7±5.4 kg/m2; 56.9% female; 70.2% White) completed assessments at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Fasting blood draws were used to assess cortisol and other appetite-related hormones levels at baseline. At baseline and follow-up, body weight was measured and the Cumulative Adversity Interview and Food Craving Inventory were administered. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates. Results Over the 6-month period, 49.9% of the sample gained weight. Food cravings and chronic stress decreased over 6 months (ps<0.05). However, after adjusting for covariates, individuals with higher baseline total ghrelin had significantly higher food cravings at 6 months (p=0.04). Furthermore, higher cortisol, insulin, and chronic stress were each predictive of greater future weight gain (ps<0.05). Conclusions These results suggest that ghrelin plays a role in increased food cravings and reward-driven eating behaviors. Studies are needed that examine the utility of stress reduction methods for normalizing disrupted cortisol responses and preventing future weight gain.

Associations of Sleep with Food Cravings, Diet, and Obesity in Adolescence

“…This theory is mainly based on an experimental study of 12 healthy young men that found sleep restriction was associated with lower leptin and higher ghrelin [42]. Further, higher ghrelin was associated with higher total food cravings and specifically carbohydrate/starch cravings in another prospective study of 339 adults [17]. Further research is needed to examine both the hedonic and homeostatic theories in adolescents, and the role cravings may play.…”

“…As it relates to food cravings and dietary quality or obesity, most published studies are behavioral interventions that evaluate cravings as a potential intermediary for brain processes related to dietary quality and/or reducing energy intake among adults [17] or specifically adults with obesity [18]. There is limited evidence of specific healthy or unhealthy cravings being directly linked to dietary quality in any age group.…”

Chronic administration of ellagic acid improved the cognition in middle-aged overweight men

“…For instance, a large-scale study, including 5077 male and female participants, found that chronic psychosocial stressors resulted in high total energy intake and overweight, suggesting that stress control may be an effective strategy in obesity prevention (Isasi et al, 2015). Also, a prospective community cohort study, 6-month follow-up, showed that higher cortisol and chronic stress were predictive of more food cravings and greater future weight gain (Chao et al, 2017). Accordingly, it has been proposed that cortisol responsiveness may be used as a marker to identify individuals at risk of weight gain and subsequent obesity (Hewagalamulage et al, 2016) .…”

Pediatric Integrative Medicine in Residency Program: Relationship between Lifestyle Behaviors and Burnout and Wellbeing Measures in First-Year Residents

“…Residents in the high-risk burnout group reported lower frequencies of healthy eating, social support activities, and quality sleep than their peers. One in four residents were living with a chronic illness, and 28% of residents entering the PIMR program were either overweight (23%) or obese (5%), highlighting the links between chronic stress and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, depression, and other related comorbidities [ 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”