Study dick through stress

Changes stress eating behavior?

05/19/2014

At the Dresden University Hospital, a two-year study will examine whether stress leads to increased caloric intake and thus thickens. The researchers assume according to their own statements, „that psychological or emotional stress has a negative influence on eating behavior.“ According to Katja Petrowski, head of the Research Department Fear, Stress and Attachment at Dresden University of Technology „Stressed people faster, while it comes to an increased food intake and an associated increased calorie intake, which ultimately manifests itself in the clinical picture of obesity (obesity).“

The researchers from the Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics of the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden are currently still looking for volunteers to participate in the study on nutritional behavior, „who are mentally and physically healthy and slightly overweight, that is, have a body-measure index over 30.“ Two dates are planned at which „The scientists use a saliva sample to test the release of the stress hormone cortisol before, during and after a mental stress test“ measure, according to the communication from the university. In parallel, the subjects' heart rate and chewing sounds are measured using miniature microphones in the auditory canal. The measurements are taken during the meal before and after the mental stress test. „The subsequent comparison of all measurement results indicates whether there are differences in eating behavior under rest condition and under mental stress“, explain the researchers.

Changed dietary behavior under mental stress
The psychological stress of examinations, appointments, time pressure or other stressful situations leads according to the researchers to a changed nutritional behavior as well as to a reaction of the autonomic nervous system, changes of the heart rate and the heart rhythm in order to prepare the body to cope with the situation. Katja Petrovsky explained that the body also releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol to process the strain and that humans also change their chewing behavior. Overall, the stress has a significant negative impact on eating behavior, which will now be clearly documented scientifically in the study.

Saliva samples taken during the study will be „brought to the Chair of Biopsychology at the Technical University of Dresden for analysis and evaluated there“, reported the Dresden University Hospital on. According to the analyzes, the saliva samples and all collected data would be deleted so as to ensure anonymity and prevent misuse of the data. Interested parties can register at the Dresden University of Technology or the University Hospital. (Fp)