Study Shows that Losing Weight Increases Stress Levels

According to USA Today, an interesting study by the University of California-San Francisco has found that losing weight increases stress levels. The study also shows that the increased stress is physiological in nature...not merely a result of giving up foods that you normally love to eat. Apparently the level of cortisol increases as one's weight decreases. This is the reason for the higher level of stress.

In the study, 99 women were divided into four different groups. Two of the groups were on calorie restrictive diets. The other 2 groups were non-dieters who either counted calories or did not count calories. Of the four groups, the two on calorie restrictive diets lost weight, and their cortisol levels increased.

What is so telling about this study is the fact that increased cortisol levels as well as high levels of stress are linked to weight gain. Therefore, it would almost seem counterproductive in losing weight if doing so causes both to increase. Keeping weight off is already the most difficult part about a weight loss plan. Losing it is usually the easiest part. Keeping it off is where the majority of people seem to fail. Could the link between weight loss and increased stress levels be one of the reasons that so many people tend to put the weight back on?

I remember when I was in a weight loss support group. By far, the topic most often discussed was the difficulty in keeping weight off once it was lost. The word "stress" was mentioned many times in regard to gaining the weight back. In my own life, I can remember gaining weight back that had been previously lost...wondering why it was so difficult to keep it off. Stress was often a factor. I had no idea at the time, however, that it was related to an increase of my cortisol level. I figured the stress was all self-induced.

The great news about this study is that there is something people can do to help diminish the stress that comes with weight loss. It may be as simple as exercising more or participating in other stress reducing activities while losing weight. Lead author of the study, Janet Tomiyama goes as far as to say that some people may want to skip dieting altogether and just increase the amount of exercise they do. The bad news about this study is that some people may use it as an excuse to remain overweight.

Source: USAtoday.com