According to the American Heart Association, nearly 70 percent of American adults are either overweight or obese. Researchers analyzed the data of 21,904 middle-aged and older women and found that stressful events in women’s lives in the previous five years increased the risk of obesity by 36%. (1)
Although obesity may be caused by overeating, the effects of increased cortisol hormone production in response to stress has been proven to play a role. Scientists in the UK measured cortisol levels in 2527 hair samples, and found those with the highest levels tended to be heavier, have larger waists, and excess fat around the stomach, a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.(2)
References
1. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/stressful-events-can-increase-womens-odds-of-obesity
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316074.php?sr
