Stress, Cortisol and Weight Loss

[From article]
They found that women who reported having one or more worries burned an average of 104 fewer calories in the seven hours after eating the meal than those who had none. Over a 12-month period this could lead to a weight gain of 11lb or 5kg.
The stressed women also had higher levels of insulin, which contributes to the storage of fat. To make matters worse, the authors say those who are stressed would be more likely to eat high-fat, comfort food.
Lead researcher Jan Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry and psychology at Ohio State University, said: ‘This means that, over time, stressors could lead to weight gain.
[. . .]
The researchers do not know what happens to men’s metabolism and body weight when they are stressed.
They suspect the findings would be slightly different because they have more muscle, which means their metabolism is different. Other studies have found that stress causes us to eat more – particularly sugary, high fat foods. Experts say this the body’s natural response to a threat.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2690965/How-stress-make-woman-pile-pounds-It-slows-metabolism-add-stone-just-year.html

How stress can make a woman pile on pounds: It slows down the metabolism and
could add up to a stone in just a year
Worrying could mean you will burn off 100 fewer calories a day
Researchers do not know what happens to men’s metabolism and body weight when they are stressed.
They suspect the findings would be slightly different because they have more muscle
By SOPHIE BORLAND
PUBLISHED: 23:15 EST, 13 July 2014 | UPDATED: 03:14 EST, 15 July 2014


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[From article]
The study, which has been published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, showed that it was 'low responders' who would adjust their eating habits and reduce their food consumption while plagued with stress, as well as increasing their physical activity.
'High responders', would instead continue with their regular eating habits and exercise would not have a great effect on their muscles, leading to rapid weight gain.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2697935/Is-secret-curing-obesity-The-bodys-response-STRESS-could.html

Relax, researchers may have found the key to weight loss... The body's response to STRESS could determine how effectively we lose weight
How our bodies respond to the release of stress hormone cortisol determines how well we lose weight
Low responders are more likely to eat less and increase physical activity when stressed
High responders begin to eat more while their muscles become slower at burning energy
By LILLIAN RADULOVA
Daily Mail (UK)
PUBLISHED: 18:39 EST, 18 July 2014 | UPDATED: 21:24 EST, 18 July 2014