HPA axis response to stress predicts short-term snack intake in obese women.
Prior research has linked heightened cortisol reactivity to stress with increased food consumption. This pilot study tested corollaries of the hypothesis that cortisol stress reactivity promotes obesity. Thirty-four lean and obese women completed an acute stress task and a non-stressful control task in counterbalanced order. Contrary to expectations, higher post-stress cortisol was associated with decreased post-stress snack intake in obese women but was unrelated to snack intake in lean women. Stress also blunted an expected rise in hunger only among obese women. Findings suggest that some obese women may be more sensitive to short-term anorectic effects of HPA axis activation.
Appelhans
Bradley M
BM
Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 680 N Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611, USA. brad_appelhans@rush.edu
Pagoto
Sherry L
SL
Peters
Erica N
EN
Spring
Bonnie J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D006854:Hydrocortisone