The Impact of Chronic Stress Related to COVID-19 on Eating Behaviors and the Risk of Obesity in Children and Adolescents
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the incidence of overweight and obesity in children was observed. It appears that unhealthy food choices, an unbalanced diet, and a sedentary lifestyle, as well as experiencing stress related to the pandemic, may be contributing to this disturbing trend....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/1/54 |
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| author | Iwona Piątkowska-Chmiel Paulina Krawiec Karolina Joanna Ziętara Piotr Pawłowski Marzena Samardakiewicz Elżbieta Pac-Kożuchowska Mariola Herbet |
| author_facet | Iwona Piątkowska-Chmiel Paulina Krawiec Karolina Joanna Ziętara Piotr Pawłowski Marzena Samardakiewicz Elżbieta Pac-Kożuchowska Mariola Herbet |
| author_sort | Iwona Piątkowska-Chmiel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the incidence of overweight and obesity in children was observed. It appears that unhealthy food choices, an unbalanced diet, and a sedentary lifestyle, as well as experiencing stress related to the pandemic, may be contributing to this disturbing trend. Chronic stress is a significant factor contributing to eating disorders and obesity in youngsters, involving medical, molecular, and psychological elements. Individuals under chronic stress often focus on appearance and weight, leading to negative body image and disrupted relationships with food, resulting in unhealthy eating behaviors. Chronic stress also impacts hormonal balance, reducing the satiety hormone leptin and elevating the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin, fostering increased hunger and uncontrolled snacking. Two systems, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the sympathetic system with the adrenal medulla, are activated in response to stress, causing impaired secretion of noradrenaline and cortisol. Stress-related obesity mechanisms encompass oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, insulin resistance, and neurohormonal and neurotransmission disorders. Stress induces insulin resistance, elevating obesity risk by disrupting blood sugar regulation and fat storage. Stress also affects the gut microbiome, potentially influencing chronic inflammation and metabolic processes linked to obesity. In conclusion, chronic stress is a multifaceted risk factor for eating disorders and obesity in children, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of effective preventive and intervention strategies amid the escalating prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:00:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ccb7e3703e3348129d21f646d48545b7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:00:42Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-ccb7e3703e3348129d21f646d48545b72024-01-10T15:05:22ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432023-12-011615410.3390/nu16010054The Impact of Chronic Stress Related to COVID-19 on Eating Behaviors and the Risk of Obesity in Children and AdolescentsIwona Piątkowska-Chmiel0Paulina Krawiec1Karolina Joanna Ziętara2Piotr Pawłowski3Marzena Samardakiewicz4Elżbieta Pac-Kożuchowska5Mariola Herbet6Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b Street, 20-090 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Paediatrics and Gastroenterology, Medical University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 1 Street, 20-059 Lublin, PolandStudent Scientific Association at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, PolandStudent Scientific Association at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Psychology, Psychosocial Aspects of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 7 Street, 20-093 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Paediatrics and Gastroenterology, Medical University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 1 Street, 20-059 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b Street, 20-090 Lublin, PolandDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the incidence of overweight and obesity in children was observed. It appears that unhealthy food choices, an unbalanced diet, and a sedentary lifestyle, as well as experiencing stress related to the pandemic, may be contributing to this disturbing trend. Chronic stress is a significant factor contributing to eating disorders and obesity in youngsters, involving medical, molecular, and psychological elements. Individuals under chronic stress often focus on appearance and weight, leading to negative body image and disrupted relationships with food, resulting in unhealthy eating behaviors. Chronic stress also impacts hormonal balance, reducing the satiety hormone leptin and elevating the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin, fostering increased hunger and uncontrolled snacking. Two systems, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the sympathetic system with the adrenal medulla, are activated in response to stress, causing impaired secretion of noradrenaline and cortisol. Stress-related obesity mechanisms encompass oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, insulin resistance, and neurohormonal and neurotransmission disorders. Stress induces insulin resistance, elevating obesity risk by disrupting blood sugar regulation and fat storage. Stress also affects the gut microbiome, potentially influencing chronic inflammation and metabolic processes linked to obesity. In conclusion, chronic stress is a multifaceted risk factor for eating disorders and obesity in children, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of effective preventive and intervention strategies amid the escalating prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/1/54chronic stressCOVID-19 pandemicoverweightobesitychildrenadolescents |
| spellingShingle | Iwona Piątkowska-Chmiel Paulina Krawiec Karolina Joanna Ziętara Piotr Pawłowski Marzena Samardakiewicz Elżbieta Pac-Kożuchowska Mariola Herbet The Impact of Chronic Stress Related to COVID-19 on Eating Behaviors and the Risk of Obesity in Children and Adolescents Nutrients chronic stress COVID-19 pandemic overweight obesity children adolescents |
| title | The Impact of Chronic Stress Related to COVID-19 on Eating Behaviors and the Risk of Obesity in Children and Adolescents |
| title_full | The Impact of Chronic Stress Related to COVID-19 on Eating Behaviors and the Risk of Obesity in Children and Adolescents |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Chronic Stress Related to COVID-19 on Eating Behaviors and the Risk of Obesity in Children and Adolescents |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Chronic Stress Related to COVID-19 on Eating Behaviors and the Risk of Obesity in Children and Adolescents |
| title_short | The Impact of Chronic Stress Related to COVID-19 on Eating Behaviors and the Risk of Obesity in Children and Adolescents |
| title_sort | impact of chronic stress related to covid 19 on eating behaviors and the risk of obesity in children and adolescents |
| topic | chronic stress COVID-19 pandemic overweight obesity children adolescents |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/1/54 |
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