title: Gender and stress perception based differences in BMI, hormonal response and appetite in adult Pakistani population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the gender based variations in stress perception induced changes in leptin, cortisol and serotonin (5-HT) trends, appetite and Body Mass Index (BMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  An analytical comparative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neurochemistry Laboratory, University of Karachi, from January to August 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  Appetite, BMI and serum leptin, cortisol, and 5-HT were measured in 100 men and women of aged 30-60 years, working in teaching institutes of Karachi, to evaluate gender based, stress perception induced variations. The samples were identified by stratified random technique. The chemical variables were estimated through ELISA. RESULTS were analysed using one-way ANOVA and multivariate general linear model using SPSS version 17.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean stress perception, BMI and serum leptin levels were significantly more in women (p<0.05). Serum cortisol and 5-HT were found significantly reduced in women (p<0.05). BMI, serum cortisol and leptin were found to be increased with increasing level of stress perception (p<0.05). VAS for hunger and desire to eat as the measure of appetite was significantly higher in men (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stress perception attenuates the positive effect of cortisol and negative effects of leptin and 5-HT on appetite through changes in their circulatory levels. Women perceive more stress and exhibit significantly attenuated changes in hormonal levels and appetite which may be the contributing factor towards obesity. Increased BMI in women despite decreased appetite merits more studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi.
authors.forename: Zeba
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.affiliation: Medical Student, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi.
authors.forename: Anum
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Javed
authors.affiliation: Medical Student, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi.
authors.forename: Ahmar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehmood
authors.affiliation: Medical Student, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi.
authors.forename: Adiya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences Laboratory, PCMD, HEJ, University of Karachi, Karachi.
authors.forename: Darakhshan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Haleem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001066:Appetite; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010154:Pakistan; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D012701:Serotonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone