Stress. Obesity and Insulin

Damien Howard, a Darwin-based psychologist, contributes the following on the link between obesity and stress.

There are suggestions that insulin resistance through obesity may be linked with increased stress levels. Insulin resistance is involved with fluctuating blood sugars. Low blood sugar in particular prompts the release of 'fight or flight hormones' cortisol and adrenalin. Thus, without any external threat, these hormones raise arousal levels so that the person responds as if they are in a war zone. This can be very confusing for those experiencing it, resulting in increased anxiety. With increased arousal, the involvement in a real emergency can feel calming because there is a direction for the physical arousal created by the hormones. However, the increased general arousal can contibute to long-term emotional and mental exhaustion, anxiety and depression.

The conclusion is obesity can increase your stress levels and reduce your ability to effectively deal with external stressors.