This paper explores how chronic psychological and biological stress are related to appetite-regulating hormones in people with obesity. Specifically, we used data from 65 adults (44 women) to see if higher scalp hair levels of the stress hormone cortisol and its inactive form cortisone, as well as self-reported perceived stress were linked to blood levels of fasting appetite-regulating hormones.
Key findings include:
- Chronic biological stress, as indicated by elevated scalp hair glucocorticoid levels, was associated with increased circulating levels of cholecystokinin, a key player in the hormonal regulation of appetite.
- In women only, there may be an association of chronic psychological stress with the appetite regulators PYY and GIP.
Overall, this study highlights the complex relationship between stress and hormonal appetite regulation. Whether the association has effects on a person’s sensations of appetite remains to be investigated in the future.
Created in BioRender. van Rossum, E. (2024) https://BioRender.com/j87b571.
Perceived Stress, Hair Cortisol, and Hair Cortisone in Relation to Appetite-Regulating Hormones in Patients with Obesity.
Kuckuck, S., Lengton, R., Meeusen, R.E.H., van der Valk, E.S., Hillegers, M.H.J., Penninx, B.W.J.H., Kavousi, M., Visser, J.A., Boon, M.R., van den Berg, S.A.A., & van Rossum, E.F.C. Obesity Facts 1-8.
