TY - JOUR
T1 - Stress-induced eating and the relaxation response as a potential antidote
T2 - A review and hypothesis
AU - Masih, Tasmiah
AU - Dimmock, James A.
AU - Epel, Elissa S.
AU - Guelfi, Kym J.
PY - 2017/11/1
Y1 - 2017/11/1
N2 - There is an accumulating body of evidence to indicate that stress leads to the consumption of unhealthy, energy-dense, palatable food, potentially contributing to the alarming global prevalence of chronic diseases, including obesity. However, comparatively little research has been devoted to addressing how best to remedy this growing problem. We provide an overview of the influence of stress on dietary intake, and then explore the novel, yet simple, possibility that regular elicitation of the relaxation response may effectively reduce stress-induced eating via both physiological neuroendocrine and reward pathways and psychological pathways involving emotion regulation, and habitual coping. If shown to be effective, the regular practice of relaxation may provide a convenient, cost efficient, patient-centered therapeutic practice to assist in the prevention of unhealthy weight gain and other negative consequences of unhealthy food intake.
AB - There is an accumulating body of evidence to indicate that stress leads to the consumption of unhealthy, energy-dense, palatable food, potentially contributing to the alarming global prevalence of chronic diseases, including obesity. However, comparatively little research has been devoted to addressing how best to remedy this growing problem. We provide an overview of the influence of stress on dietary intake, and then explore the novel, yet simple, possibility that regular elicitation of the relaxation response may effectively reduce stress-induced eating via both physiological neuroendocrine and reward pathways and psychological pathways involving emotion regulation, and habitual coping. If shown to be effective, the regular practice of relaxation may provide a convenient, cost efficient, patient-centered therapeutic practice to assist in the prevention of unhealthy weight gain and other negative consequences of unhealthy food intake.
KW - Appetite
KW - Eating
KW - Relaxation
KW - Stress
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85027407339&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.appet.2017.08.005
DO - 10.1016/j.appet.2017.08.005
M3 - Review article
C2 - 28789869
AN - SCOPUS:85027407339
VL - 118
SP - 136
EP - 143
JO - Appetite
JF - Appetite
SN - 0195-6663
ER -