Stress and the pot belly

Swedish researchers have long been suggesting that stress may be a major cause of the pot belly. New evidence from Dr Per Bjorntorp and Dr Roland Rosmond1 at the University of Goteburg has sparked interest that stress can cause an increase in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), or fat within the abdominal cavity. Visceral adipose tissue is stored around the organs of the trunk such as the intestines, liver and kidneys and has been linked with diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Levels of VAT are usually indicative of waist size (the pot belly), although it can also be present in otherwise lean people.

Dr Bjorntorp now suggests that VAT levels can be increased by stress. He and his colleagues have repeatedly studied the relationship between the stress hormone cortisol and VAT and have found a close connection. Further research indicates that people from lower socio-economic groups have both increased cortisol and increased VAT. Dr Bjorntorp believes that this is so because there is a loss of sense of control in lower socio-economic groups which increases stress levels.

Dr Bjorntorp and colleagues have also suggested a relationship between depression and a pot belly2. They believe that anti-depressant medication, which controls levels of cortisol, may help to treat abdominal obesity in men.

In addition, researchers in the Netherlands have reported that there may be a relationship between chronic psychological stress and type 2 diabetes.

While more research needs to be conducted as to the precise role of stress and cortisol in development of VAT and diabetes, this evidence does indicate that stress may indeed be more damaging to out health than we previously thought.

References

• Rosmond R, Bjorntorp P. Occupational status, cortisol secretory pattern and visceral obesity in middle aged men. Obesity Research 2000; 8(6): 445-450.
  
• Rosmond R, Bjorntorp P. The role of antidepressants in the treatment of abdominal obesity. Medical Hypotheses 2000; Jun;54(6): 990-4.
• Mooy JM, de Vries H, Grootenhuis PA, Bouter LM, Heine RJ. Major stressful life events in relation to prevalence of undetected type 2 diabetes: the Hoorn Study. Diabetes Care 2000 Feb;23(2):197-201

Last Updated: April 8, 2001