Stress-Related Changes in Body Form: Results from the Whitehall II Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Stress is associated with body mass gain in some people but with body mass loss in others. When the stressor persists, some people adapt with their stress responses, whereas others do not. Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic variability and is related to stress responses to psychosocial challenges. It was hypothesized that the combined effects of stress exposure and autonomic variability predict long-term changes in body form.

Methods

Data of 1,369 men and 612 women from the Whitehall II cohort were analyzed. BMI, hip-to-height ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were measured at three time points over a 10-year period. HRV and psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire) were assessed.

Results

Men with high psychological distress were at r

SUBMITTER: Kubera B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5573629 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature