www.healthykidz.co.za - Stress-Obesity Connection

THE STRESS-OBESITY CONNECTION

Ever wondered why your chilld is overweight even though he/she is eating nutritious foods and staying away from sweets and refined carbs?

The answer might lie in the stress-levels. Read for yourself and make your own decision...

"Stress does more than make you feel bad - it can also cause or worsen weight problems. The hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates appetite, is also part of a pathway known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (or HPA axis). When a stressful situation occurs, the hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland, which secretes a hormone known as ACTH. The ACTH in turn triggers the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands.

Cortisol is called the stress hormone because it signals the liver to produce glucose, which generates the energy that would theoretically allow someone in a stressful situation to escape the source of danger. This survival mechanism works great when stress is temporary and short-lived. But when stress becomes chronic, the HPA axes goes into overdrive and produces too much cortisol. As a result, blood glucose and insulin levels become continuously high, resulting in increased fat accumulation around the abdomen. Other physical impairments, such as a lowered immune response, are also linked to chronic stress..."

The Everything Parent's Guide to The Overweight Child
by Paula Ford-Martin

Typical signs of childhood stress:

Emotional signs -

- Increase in time spent alone
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping and other sleep disturbances i.e. nightmares
- Shyness
- Unsocial behaviour
- Anger
- Sadness (depression)

Physical manifestations -

- Headaches
- Stomach cramps and aches
- Bed-wetting
- Body aches and pains
- Blushing and flushed looks (especially in face)
- Sweating

IS YOUR CHILD OVERLY STRESSED?

1. Are you pushing your child too hard to achieve - at school, in sport, or in any other activities?

2. Is your child's schedule too crowded? Does he or she have too many planned activities and not enough "downtime"?

3. Are conflicts in the family - such as problems between you and your child's other parent, if there is one - stressing your child?

4. Have any major changes recently occurred - like a move to a new house, the death of a pet, a serious illness of a family member?

5. Does your child get enough rest? Does he or she have too little sleep or poor quality sleep?

6. Do you or your child's other parent have trouble managing your own stress? Do you have trouble keeping emotions under control when interacting with your child?

7. Does your child engage in a lot of overstimulating activities - ones that put him or her on the edge?

From:
Help for Worried Kids, by Cynthia G. Last PhD - Guildord Publishers