Stress and Obesity — Obesity is a major public health problem in the United States, and psychosocial stress is considered a key risk factor. In exploring the association between stress and dietary intake among participants in Einstein’s Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), Dr. Carmen Isasi and colleagues recently found that those who reported feeling more stressed had diets with more calories and saturated fat than participants feeling less stressed. These individuals also were more likely to eat meals prepared outside their homes. Furthermore, individuals reporting more than three ongoing stressors were more likely to be obese and had larger waist size. The researchers concluded that stress management techniques might help to prevent or treat obesity. Their findings appear in the February issue of Annals of Epidemiology. Dr. Isasi is associate professor of epidemiology & population health and of pediatrics. Einstein is one of four sites for the landmark HCHS/SOL funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Posted on: Tuesday, February 17, 2015