Why Stress Makes You Fat

Calgary researchers uncover the link between stress and appetite.

Researchers at the University of Calgary believe they have discovered how stress stimulates appetite. The research team induced stress in rats before observing their their metabolism and drive for food. According to their findings, stress triggers the brain to transmit hunger signals, increasing appetite and the propensity to overeat. This is believed to occur because way back in the day, before the Big Mac was even invented, a lack of food was a major cause of stress for humans. Researcher Quentin Pittman believes the study may explain why people who try to diet have difficulty controlling their appetites. That, and the fact that food is delicious.