Is stress causing you to gain weight?

We've all heard about the far-reaching effect that stress can have on our health. But did you know that stress can cause you to gain weight?

Stress creates actual physiological changes in your body. Specifically, it is responsible for the production of cortisol - a hormone that is a powerful appetite trigger. Simply put, when you're rushing through a day that's crammed with deadlines and filled to the brim with anxieties, you eat more. And cortisol doesn't just trigger your appetite; it creates cravings for carbohydrates and sweets - the foods that are most likely to be stored as abdominal fat.

In her article, 10 Toxic Weight-Prevention Tips, author Dr. Pamela Peeke offers 10 tips for avoiding weight gain due to stress. Among them are some simple things that everyone can do such as scheduling meals, controlling food portions, and drinking more water. Read her article at DiscoveryHealth.

Dr. Pamela Peeke is a former speaker at Women's Wonderful Weekend, an exclusive event designed for today's woman - only at The Greenbrier.

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