Does stress cause weight gain? There are several reasons for weight gain – some related to lifestyle factors (the most common causes), physiological responses like pregnancy and pathological factors like diseases of the thyroid or adrenal glands. Weight gain in most instances is a result of consuming more calories than is needed for energy production to maintain life processes and facilitate the daily physical activities. In other words, eating more than is needed for physical activities in a day will lead to a storage of the extra calories in the form of fat – the ultimate storage form of nutrients. One of the lesser known contributing factors is psychological stress that can lead to weight gain through various mechanisms. Hormones in stress weight gain Stress these days takes on a different meaning with modern life. Whereas in the wild stress means fighting or fleeing for survival, the human body has to now contend with intense psychological stress ranging such as emotional strain, career pressures and financial worries. The human body has several mechanisms to deal with stress which is largely regulated by the neuroendocrine system. Impulses in the brain stimulate the master gland of the body (pituitary) and hypothalamus to … Continue reading Weight Gain with Stress (Hormones, Diet and Exercise)