Not eating much but still gaining weight? Your doctor explains how stress, sleep and hormones can work against you
Many people notice that stressful periods are often accompanied by unexpected weight gain. This is not fiction. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that affects appetite and fat storage.
TOI spoke to Dr Anshuman Kaushal, Director, Robotic Gastroenterology, Minimal Access and Bariatric Surgery, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, who explained: “Obesity is believed to be caused by overeating only. In fact, overeating leads to gaining more weight, but some people are obese even if their diet seems healthy enough. Nowadays, there are several studies proving that stress, lack of sleep and other problems affecting hormone balance can lead to weight gain.”
He added: “First of all, stress leads to the production of a hormone called cortisol that affects people’s desire to eat. High levels of the hormone increase hunger and create a tendency to prefer food that contains a lot of calories. Moreover, due to high levels of stress, people begin to eat more food in order to overcome emotional distress. The lack of motivation to engage in sports activities is an additional reason that promotes weight gain.”
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Center for Disease Control) also states that long-term stress can increase cortisol levels, stimulate appetite, and promote inflammation, all of which contribute to obesity.
Stress doesn’t always announce itself out loud. Sometimes it manifests as late-night snacking, skipping exercise, exhaustion, or just wanting to feel good after a tough day.
