Does stress cause obesity?

I think it is common sense that stress triggers excessive food intake. I read a research review that stress causes obesity (Obesity reviews 2, 73-86, 2001). Honestly I didn't believe it at first. But it is true. I will tell you the conclusion first. Chronic stress increases abdominal fat inside(visceral fat) which is highly related to coronary heart disease. Research studies prove that chronic stress induces the significant increase of weight/hip circumference ratio(WHR) and body mass index(BMI). You should avoid stress. It is important how to manage your stress.

I will tell you the scientific background of the situation. This may make you sleepy. It is well known that stress induces corticotropin releasing hormone(CRH) in the hypothalamus which is a part of the brain. CRH stimulates to release adenocorticotropi(ACTH) into the blood from the pituitary which is also a part of the brain. ACTH stimulates cortisol secretion from the adrenal glands which is on the top of the kidneys. The high level of cortisol during stress is similar situation to Cushing's syndrome as I mentioned in diseases causing obesity. The elevated cortisol also causes the metabolic syndrome which is combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Chronic stress also causes high blood pressure(hypertension) probably due to an activation of the central sympathetic nervous system.

Cortisol exposure is also followed by increased food intake and leptin resistant obesity. Leptin(meaning thin in Greek) is a hormone from fat, binds to the receptor in the brain, and signals to the brain that the body has had enough to eat, or satiety. Stress-induced cortisol-secretion also seems to be followed by elevated neuropeptide Y(NPY) secretion in the brain which stimulates food intake. The consequence might be stress-eating.