Stress is thought to influence human eating behavior. Stress appears to alter overall food intake in two ways, resulting in under- or overeating, which may be influenced by stressor severity. Chronic life stress seems to be associated with a greater preference for energy and nutrient-dense foods, those that are high in sugar and fat.

The relationship between stress and over eating has been examined in animal and human studies. Longitudinal studies showed that chronic life stress may be linked to weight gain, with a greater effect that has been seen in men. Stress-induced eating may be one factor contributing to the development of obesity. Read the rest of this entry →