How Stress-Induced Eating and Drinking Impacts BMI Over Time

Stress is a ubiquitous part of modern life, and it's increasingly clear that it has tangible impacts on our physical health. One of these impacts, as highlighted by recent research, is the relationship between stress and body mass index (BMI). A study, conducted over 30 years in Finland, reveals how stress-induced eating and drinking behaviours influence BMI among men and women throughout their adult lives.

Exploring the Stress-BMI Connection

In this longitudinal study, Finnish researchers observed a cohort of participants at the ages of 22, 32, 42, and 52. At each interval, the subjects answered questionnaires about their coping methods during stressful situations. By using linear regression analysis, the team could discern patterns between coping methods and changes in BMI, and through latent growth models, they could examine BMI growth trajectories.

The researchers found distinct gender differences in stress-induced behaviours:

• Women were more likely to turn to eating under stress

• Men were more prone to stress-induced drinking at ages 22 and 32

  
  These behaviours were significantly linked to higher BMI across all age groups for women and from age 32 onwards for men.

Eating, Drinking, and BMI Trajectories

Interestingly, the research didn't just establish a snapshot link between stress-induced behaviours and BMI—it also tracked how these behaviours influenced BMI over the long term.

If eating was used persistently as a coping method, it was associated with a faster growth rate in BMI trajectories. Similarly, stress-induced drinking was connected with a higher BMI in middle age and a faster BMI growth among men.

Food isn’t the problem, the problem is the problem

The findings of this Finnish cohort study provide valuable insights into how we manage stress and its potential implications on our weight. It underscores the fact that effective stress management could be a crucial aspect of preventing weight gain in adults.

While this study focused on a Finnish population, it's reasonable to suspect that similar patterns may be found in other societies. The stress-BMI link points towards a broader public health issue requiring us to consider the emotional and psychological factors contributing to obesity.

It's important to remember that this research does not suggest stress-induced eating or drinking as the sole drivers of weight gain. However, it does emphasize their significant role, particularly when used as a persistent coping mechanism.

Are you a stress eater/drinker?

Try creating a “comfort menu” of activities rather than foods you can turn to.

Brainstorm some ideas, here are some to start you off:

• Go for a walk

• Talk it out with a friend

• Journal

• Create art

• Do some gardening

And then if these don’t work you can always take it out on a punching bag or do some ball slams whilst listening to Killing In The Name by Rage Against The Machine.

Go nuts…

A little rock out in the kitchen never hurt anyone.

The counter-intuitive outcome of restrictive dieting

Although it may seem as if dieting harder is the logical step towards weight loss, the relationship between our bodies, food, and mental health is much more complex.

Overly restrictive dieting can, paradoxically, exacerbate unhealthy eating behaviors, particularly among women who have long been subjected to societal pressures to conform to specific body standards.

When we drastically restrict food intake, the body may respond by increasing cravings and heightening focus on food, which can often result in binge eating episodes.

The psychological strain of maintaining a strict diet can lead to feelings of deprivation and obsession over 'forbidden' foods. This might then result in a disordered pattern of alternating between periods of strict dieting and overeating and yo-yo dieting.

I probably don’t have to tell you that this can not only cause physical health issues but can also lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and a sense of loss of control, further entrenching disordered eating behaviors.

The bottom line?

Stress matters.

As we continue to understand more about the complex interplay between our physical and mental health, we must prioritise effective stress management strategies, not just for our mental well-being, but also for maintaining a healthy weight.

With further research, we may even pinpoint specific stress management strategies that could help individuals maintain healthy BMI trajectories throughout their lives. But for now, this study serves as a poignant reminder: when it comes to weight, stress is indeed a heavy burden to bear.

Resources

F. SMITH, D.A. WILLIAMSON, G.A. BRAY, D.H. RYAN, Flexible vs. Rigid Dieting Strategies: Relationship with Adverse Behavioral Outcomes, Appetite, Volume 32, Issue 3, 1999, Pages 295-305, ISSN 0195-6663, https://doi.org/10.1006/appe.1998.0204.

Rosenqvist E, Kiviruusu O, Berg N, Konttinen H.Stress-induced eating and drinking and their associations with weight among women and men during 30-year follow-up. Psychol Health. 2023 Mar 22;1–16.