Does stress cause weight loss

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While stress can affect weight in various ways, it is generally associated with weight gain rather than weight loss. Stress can lead to changes in eating habits, increased consumption of high-calorie and unhealthy foods, and decreased physical activity, all of which can contribute to weight gain.

How Stress Can Affect Weight

  • Stress can affect weight in several ways. It can lead to changes in eating habits, such as emotional eating or eating to cope with stress, which can contribute to weight gain. Stress can also increase the consumption of high-calorie and unhealthy foods, leading to increased calorie intake and potentially leading to weight gain.
  • Additionally, stress can lead to decreased physical activity, as people may have less time or energy for exercise or may use sedentary activities as a way to cope with stress. This can lead to decreased calorie burning and potentially contribute to weight gain.
  • However, in some rare cases, extreme stress can lead to weight loss due to a decrease in appetite or other physiological changes. This is generally not a sustainable or healthy way to lose weight and should not be relied upon as a weight loss strategy.

Research on Stress and Weight

  • Several studies have suggested that stress can be a significant contributor to weight gain and obesity. A 2018 review of several studies on stress and weight found that stress was associated with increased weight gain and a higher risk of obesity.
  • Additionally, stress is associated with an increased risk of several health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders, which can have negative impacts on overall health and well-being.

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