According to a study published in the journal Obesity (Aug 2009), monkeys fed an American diet get fat — but those under chronic stress put on much more belly fat.
I did a double take on that. It seems counter-intuitive. Fat is just fat—calories—right? What has stress got to do with it?
Well, apparently the stressed monkeys (lower on the social pecking order) not only put on more fat but it was the deadly belly fat. That’s far more serious from the point of view of blocked arteries, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart disease.
In previous studies, socially stressed monkeys—those at the bottom of the pecking order in a monkey colony—get blocked arteries far faster than other monkeys fed the same high-fat diet. That’s reasonable. In human terms, this is reflected by the famous “Whitehall Study”, where workers lower in the civil service hierarchy die sooner.
But why do stressed monkeys get more belly fat?
Over a two-year period, the researchers collected a vast array of data on stressed and unstressed female cynomolgus monkeys. They used a CT scan to detect visceral fat — abdominal fat that often (but not always) protrudes as a “beer belly” on the outside. On the inside, it wraps around the organs.
Even compared to other monkeys with the same body mass index and weight, CT scans showed that the stressed monkeys had a great deal more belly fat. And when the researchers looked at the animals’ arteries, they found plaque clogging the arteries of the stressed monkeys.
During the years of the study, the low-status monkeys had high levels of a stress hormone called cortisol. Over time, high cortisol levels cause belly fat to accumulate. It also makes individual fat cells get larger.
This is basically “sick fat”. Your fat cells are getting bigger and your fat tissue is getting bigger and neither the cells nor the tissues work as well as they should. The fat is sick.
End of gender difference: All of the monkeys in the study were female. One way monkeys are like humans is that females are less likely to get heart disease than males. Yet stressed female monkeys that put on belly fat are at least as likely to get heart disease as are male monkeys.
And in fact this may even be a worse disease for women than men, because they get complications and die faster when they have heart disease.
The rsearchers found that the stressed monkeys had abnormal menstrual cycles. Compared to the unstressed monkeys, they were much less likely to ovulate. This was linked to abdominal fat — but not to body mass index or other kinds of fat.
Something else that wasn’t discussed, but I’d like to point out that no ovulation means less (or no) estrogen. That could speed osteoporosis in a post-menopausal woman.
I am a personal trainer of high intensity strength training with most of my clients being middle aged women. Several are struggling to lose this type of belly fat with no success. What are some solutions? Do they need to address adrenal stress through supplements? Would love to help them get rid of it.
Thank you -
Cindy
Austin, Texas
I have found that my belly fat was caused from a high cortisol level–caused from-MULTIPLE CHEMICAL INHALANTS.This is called “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity” . This will also cause a hike in Blood pressure–and if drugs are taken for the Hypertension-one of the side effects is a drop in blood sugar.The drug used by me is “Lopresor”.Now the low sugar will cause a carb craving leading to even more abdominal fat–so -it is like a dog chasing it’s own tail-so it all depends on what is called”stress”-J. Later(vinny152@yahoo.com)
OK Prof. Now we need your help.
Give us some pointers on getting rid of this in a healthy way.
You guys are insatiable
I’ve always been passionate about health and wellbeing. Too me without wishing to sound too simplistic, being fat or obese is all to do with what a person puts in their mouth and how much!
That said usually, there are underlining reasons for doing this, such as low self esteem, maybe being bullied, not loved etc. Therefore it is obvious that stress should be related to obesity, in my opinion unless the underlying issues are dealt with, an individual will have years of emotional torment.
Menopausal years can also create havoc for most women, as weight is gained in rather a subtle way and somewhat difficult to irradiate.
Absolutely agree Nina,
A person cannot reach 300 lbs without have SERIOUS issues about themselves.
I was 10 stone when my neighbours cut a chunk out of my roof to make way for the guttering of their new conservatory. Three years later, solicitors and now court appearances – they still won’t fix the problem and I am 13 1/2 stone. My stress levels are aweful. I totally agree with this article as I try and eat sensibly.
Yes, Pro, please give us some help on letting go of stress