How elevated stress might lead to consuming problems? Professional shares insights

In our trendy society, stress has change into a pervasive and regarding difficulty that impacts people from all walks of life. Interestingly, the correlation between elevated stress ranges and the event of eating disorders is gaining recognition. The relentless stress to satisfy societal expectations, coupled with private challenges, can result in an unhealthy relationship with meals and physique picture. This article delves into the intricate connection between stress and consuming problems, exploring how stressors can set off disordered consuming patterns and dangerous behaviours. By understanding this complicated relationship, we are able to higher comprehend the dangers, indicators, and potential interventions essential to assist people combating each stress and consuming problems. (Also learn: Eating disorders in children: Types, causes, treatment, preventive tips )

Understanding the hyperlink between stress and consuming dysfunction:

“Stress is frequently a crucial factor in the development of eating disorders- psychological problems marked by significant and ongoing disturbances in eating behaviours and disturbing thoughts and emotions. They can be extremely severe and impact social, psychological, and physical function. Everyone goes through stressful times. The body responds to change naturally,” says, Aman Puri, Fitness Nutrition Specialist and Founder, Steadfast Nutrition.

He added, “In most circumstances, stress subsides quickly, and the individual can go about his or her daily activities without experiencing any substantial physical, emotional, or psychological changes. However, some people develop behavioural and mental health disorders, such as disordered eating, as a result of persistent stress. Elevated levels of stress hormones are also more likely to occur in people who have eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and may even result in anorexia brought on by stress. How a person copes with stress plays a role in the link between stress and disordered eating.”

Aman additional shared with HT Lifestyle, an lively or avoidance method that folks can use for coping:

• Active coping: A wholesome coping response is when a person makes an attempt to find helpful or lively methods to alleviate stress. When somebody is actively coping, they’re conscious of their stressor and discover options to minimize undesirable outcomes. ‍
• Avoidance coping: Maladaptive avoidance coping entails partaking in adverse or damaging behaviours to keep away from confronting the supply of 1’s stress. An avoidance coping technique might put an individual in danger for disordered consuming.

Talking about how stress makes you eat, Aman says, “During stressful times, your body produces more cortisol, a hormone that promotes hunger. If you have a binge eating disorder, your body already produces more of this hormone than healthy people. Do you feel better after eating sweets or carbohydrates? There’s a reason for this: Eating these foods signals your brain to release the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter serotonin. For this reason, cakes, cookies, and french fries are sometimes referred to as “consolation meals”. However, the soothing results solely final a short while. Your blood sugar will plummet (or “crash”) shortly after consuming these goodies, leaving you exhausted and unsteady.”