Stress-induced eating and the relaxation response as a potential antidote: A review and hypothesis

Masih, Tasmiah; Dimmock, James A.; Epel, Elissa S.; Guelfi, Kym J.

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2017.08.005

Cited by 32 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…Our data provide further support for a possible effect of cortisol reactivity on the food intake in people with obesity, but not in healthy weight controls. Therefore, the physiological mechanism of stress-induced eating is a complex interplay between many different hormones, whose secretion and activity are influenced by glucocorticoids 11,17 . It is still unclear why there is an effect of cortisol reactivity on food intake only in people with obesity and not in the healthy weight controls.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, we and others demonstrated no changes in eating behavior or even a decrease in food intake during stressful periods [8][9][10] . These divergent findings might be explained by the complex interactions of physiological and psychological mechanisms, influencing stress-related eating behaviors 11 . Thus, psychological drivers, such as coping style, emotion regulation, and stress appraisal are important moderators of the association between stress and a change in eating behavior 11 .…”

Section: Stress and Eating Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These divergent findings might be explained by the complex interactions of physiological and psychological mechanisms, influencing stress-related eating behaviors 11 . Thus, psychological drivers, such as coping style, emotion regulation, and stress appraisal are important moderators of the association between stress and a change in eating behavior 11 . On the other hand, stress effects may lead to changes in the circulating concentrations of cortisol, insulin, ghrelin, and leptin, which may influence eating behavior [12][13][14] .…”

Section: Stress and Eating Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

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High/low cortisol reactivity and food intake in people with obesity and healthy weight

et al. 2020

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Increased food intake, termed "comfort eating", is a pathologic coping mechanism in chronic stress. Cortisol reactivity under stress is a potent predictor of stress-induced eating behavior affecting the body mass index (BMI). However, cortisol reactivity and food intake under stress in people with obesity has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high/low cortisol reactivity on food intake in people with obesity and healthy weight test controls, following standardized stress induction and a resting condition. Thirty-six men and women with obesity (BMI: 33.00 ± 3.23 kg/m²), as well as 36 age-and gender-matched healthy weight controls (BMI: 21.98 ± 1.81 kg/m²) were categorized into high cortisol reactors (HCR) and low cortisol reactors (LCR) in the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Following the TSST and a resting condition, the food intake of all participants was recorded in a standardized laboratory meal. Obese HCR demonstrated a significantly higher food intake than LCR (t (34) = −2.046, p ≤ 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between HCR and LCR in the healthy weight controls (p = 0.26). In addition, HCR of the people with obesity showed lower values in the emotion coping strategy of cognitive reappraisal than obese LCR (t (32) = 2.087, p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, the magnitude of the cortisol reactivity to stress predicts stressinduced food intake in people with obesity, but not in the healthy weight controls. Limited use of cognitive reappraisal in emotion regulation in the obese HCR may be a marker of vulnerability to stress-induced eating.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Stress and Eating Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Stress and Eating Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

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High/low cortisol reactivity and food intake in people with obesity and healthy weight

et al. 2020

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“…In humans, there are also well documented relationships between exposure to both acute and chronic stress with greater food seeking and food intake, particularly of comfort food (Masih et al, 2017; Adam and Epel, 2007). A classic study also showed that when administered glucocorticoids men had increased energy expenditure but also a disproportionate increased appetite, resulting in weight gain (Tataranni et al, 1996).…”

Section: Effects Of Psychological Stressors On Food- and Energy-smentioning

confidence: 99%

An energetic view of stress: Focus on mitochondria

Picard

McEwen

Epel

et al. 2018

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

386

309

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Energy is required to sustain life and enable stress adaptation. At the cellular level, energy is largely derived from mitochondria – unique multifunctional organelles with their own genome. Four main elements connect mitochondria to stress: (1) Energy is required at the molecular, (epi)genetic, cellular, organellar, and systemic levels to sustain components of stress responses; (2) Glucocorticoids and other steroid hormones are produced and metabolized by mitochondria; (3) Reciprocally, mitochondria respond to neuroendocrine and metabolic stress mediators; and (4) Experimentally manipulating mitochondrial functions alters physiological and behavioral responses to psychological stress. Thus, mitochondria are endocrine organelles that provide both the energy and signals that enable and direct stress adaptation. Neural circuits regulating social behavior – as well as psychopathological processes – are also influenced by mitochondrial energetics. An integrative view of stress as an energy-driven process opens new opportunities to study mechanisms of adaptation and regulation across the lifespan.

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“…However, PMR may be more effective in reducing somatic aspects of stress (Rausch, Gramling, & Auerbach, 2006), while mindfulness practice appears more effective in addressing cognitive components of stress (Jain et al, 2007;Muangnapoe, Morris, & Kuan, 2016). Since both cognitive and physiological elements of stress may play a role in promoting the intake of palatable food (Masih, Dimmock, Epel, & Guelfi, 2017), the combination of PMR and MM in a single intervention may offer a promising approach to reducing stress-induced eating.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An 8‐Week Relaxation Program Consisting of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Stress and Attenuate Stress‐Driven Eating

Masih

Dimmock

Epel

et al. 2019

Applied Psych Health & Well

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Background Stress is often associated with the intake of energy‐dense palatable foods. This trial examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an 8‐week worksite‐based relaxation intervention to address psychological stress and unhealthy food intake. Methods Thirty‐six men and women were exposed to an acute stressor, while physiological and psychological responses were assessed, prior to being offered a test meal. Participants were then randomised to a relaxation intervention (RELAX; face‐to‐face classes and daily home practice of progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness meditation), or a wait‐list control (CON). All measures were repeated after the intervention. Results Intervention compliance was high (80% ± 19% face‐to‐face; 79% ± 18% home practice), and each session acutely reduced perceived stress (p < .001) and increased relaxation (p < .001). After 8 weeks, trait mindfulness was increased (p = .025), along with reduced tension (p = .013) and increased relaxation (p < .05) post‐acute stressor in the intervention group. There was no effect of the intervention on palatable eating, cravings, or energy intake at a laboratory test meal, with small associated effect sizes (d = 0.01–0.3). Conclusions The program studied here is feasible and sessions transiently reduce perceived stress and improve mindfulness; however, the program may not influence the physiological response to an acute stressor or appetite and eating variables.

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Stress-induced eating and the relaxation response as a potential antidote: A review and hypothesis

Cited by 32 publications

References 94 publications

High/low cortisol reactivity and food intake in people with obesity and healthy weight

High/low cortisol reactivity and food intake in people with obesity and healthy weight

An energetic view of stress: Focus on mitochondria

An 8‐Week Relaxation Program Consisting of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Stress and Attenuate Stress‐Driven Eating

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