How Stress and Anxiety Lead to Weight Gain and Obesity

Like many of us, I’ve often wondered how mental health connects to physical well-being, especially when it comes to weight. Stress and anxiety are things we all deal with at some point, and for some, these emotions seem to affect their eating habits and, ultimately, their weight. While I’m not a doctor, this blog represents research from various sources that I’ve found while trying to better understand the relationship between mental health and weight gain. Hopefully, it helps shed some light on how stress and anxiety can contribute to obesity, and what we can do to manage this connection in our lives. The Link Between Mental Health and Weight Stress and cortisol lead to cravings for unhealthy food From what I’ve gathered, mental health and weight go hand-in-hand more than I initially thought. When we’re stressed or anxious, our bodies release cortisol, a hormone that can stimulate hunger, particularly for calorie-heavy foods. It’s something I think many of us have experienced—re...