Get Angry, Gain Weight
Reported March 5, 2004
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Teenagers who do not practice healthy anger or stress management may be at risk for weight gain.
Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center studied nearly 160 adolescents, ages 14 to 17, for three years. In addition to providing their body mass index, patients participated in the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, which measured different anger levels.
"Anger in" referred to the lack of expressing anger, while the aggressive way of releasing anger, by either yelling or slamming doors, was coined "anger out."
Researchers used the anger control score to calculate the level of maturity and healthy expression of feelings. They found adolescents who had healthy high levels of anger control scores also weighed less.
William H. Mueller, Ph.D., lead author of the study, says, "Unhealthy ways of expressing anger are associated with overweight. 'Anger control' is a healthy way of expressing anger."
He suggests further examination of factors leading to adolescent weight gain, not just limiting studies to diet and exercise.
"We need to look at the broader sociological picture. If they feel good about resolving interpersonal stress and learn to decrease conflict, these skills will spill over into their general lifestyle," Dr. Mueller says.
According to past research, stress can also lead to adolescent weight gain.
Research shows cortisol is released by the body in a "fight or flight" response to stress, and can sometimes remain at highly elevated levels. The secretion of cortisol triggers fat and carbohydrate metabolism for energy, as well as stimulating the release of insulin and heightening appetite.
In addition to weight gain, high levels of cortisol can also impair learning, memory and sleeping patterns in teens.
SOURCE: Presented at American Heart Association's 44th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.