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Stress Linked to Adolescent Obesity

*The following is excerpted from an online article from University Herald.

There is a relationship between long-term exposure to three specific types of family stressors and children becoming obese by the time they turn 18 years old, according to a recent study.

Adolescent obesity is a national public health concern and, unchecked, places young people on a trajectory for a variety of health issues as they grow older.

Researchers at the University of Houston collected and analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, Assistant Professor Daphne Hernandez examined three family stress points -- family disruption, financial stress and maternal poor health -- and applied those to data of more than 4,700 adolescents born between 1975 and 1990.

"Experiencing family stress - specifically family disruption and financial stress - repeatedly throughout childhood was associated with overweight or obesity by the time adolescent girls turned 18," Hernandez said.

Only one chronic family stress point -- maternal poor health -- was related to boys becoming overweight or obese by the time they turned 18.

"Overall, the findings suggest that female and male adolescents respond differently to stress. This study extends our knowledge of stress and obesity by focusing on the family environment over time. By knowing the types of stressors that influence female and male adolescent weight gain, we can tailor specific social services to be included in obesity prevention programs," she said.

The findings are published in the April issue of Preventive Medicine.

Source: University Herald
http://www.universityherald.com/articles/17657/20150406/stress-linked-to-adolescent-obesity.htm