Abstract
BACKGROUND: Given previous research suggests an association between stress and the intake of energy-dense foods, this study investigated whether post-stressor relaxation practice can attenuate stress-induced eating.
METHODS: Twenty-five men and women were exposed to four conditions on separate days: an acute laboratory stressor (S); acute stressor followed by 20 minutes of relaxation (SR) in the form of Abbreviated Progressive Muscle Relaxation (APMR); relaxation alone (R), and a control condition (C). Physiological and psychological responses to stress and relaxation were assessed, in addition to the subsequent energy intake of high-energy snacks.
RESULTS: Salivary cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate, and perceived stress were transiently elevated post-laboratory stressor (S and SR compared with R and C; p< 0.05). Meanwhile, perceived relaxation was acutely enhanced after APMR alone (R) compared with S, SR and C (p<0.05) and in SR (immediately after the APMR) compared with S (p<0.05). No difference in mean energy intake was observed between conditions (p>0.05). Likewise, no differences in perceived appetite or the levels of ghrelin, leptin and insulin were found between conditions (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Much variation exists in stress-induced dietary responses, and APMR either post-acute stressor or in isolation does not appear to consistently alter the intake of commonly eaten snacks.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 595-606 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Stress and Health |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 20 Aug 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2019 |