Stress reactivity and adiposity of youth.
OBJECTIVE
The relationship between stress reactivity and total or central adiposity in children has not been widely studied. Data from two studies were combined to determine the relationship between reactivity to interpersonal stress and the adiposity of children.


METHODS
Stress reactivity to an interpersonal stressor (speech) was measured in 36 boys (9.8 +/- 1.3 years of age) and 27 girls (9.3 +/- 1.3 years of age). Total adiposity (percentage body fat) was estimated from skinfolds and central adiposity from the abdominal girth. Multiple regression was used to establish the associations of change in perceived stress and heart rate reactivity with adiposity. Age, sex, ethnicity, and baseline perceived stress and heart rate served as covariates for total adiposity. Fat mass was included as an additional covariate for the prediction of log abdominal girth (central adiposity).


RESULTS
Based on adjusted beta-weights, change in perceived stress (beta = 1.13, p <or= 0.001) and heart rate reactivity (beta = 0.14, p <or= 0.03) independently predicted percentage body fat. Heart rate reactivity (beta = 0.002, p <or= 0.04) independently predicted log abdominal girth.


CONCLUSIONS
Reactivity to psychological stress may initiate the antecedents of cardiovascular disease before adolescence by increasing total and central adiposity. Future studies should determine whether stress reactivity increases the adiposity of youth by increasing their consumption of energy-dense snack foods and decreasing their willingness to be physically active.
Roemmich
James N
JN
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Behavioral Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Farber Hall, Room G56, 3435 Main Street, Building #26, Buffalo, NY 14214-3000, USA. roemmich@buffalo.edu
Smith
Jasmine R
JR
Epstein
Leonard H
LH
Lambiase
Maya
M
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013315:Stress, Psychological