Stress-induced obesity and the emotional nervous system

Individual characteristics and environmental factors influencing preschoolers' emotional eating

Emotional eating, which refers to eating in response to emotional states, is prevalent in early childhood. Executive function (EF) and sleep problems are related to preschoolers' self-regulatory abilities during the day and night and have been reported to be associated with their emotional eating. These associations can be stronger in emotionally stressful situations, such as controlling feeding practices. This study explored the role of preschoolers' EF and sleep problems as child characteristics, as well as maternal feeding practices as environmental factors influencing emotional eating during the preschool period. Participants included 363 Korean mothers with preschoolers aged 3- to 5-years old (190 boys, 173 girls). Mothers reported on their own feeding practices, and preschoolers' EF, sleep problems, and emotional eating. Results indicated that preschoolers' EF was negatively associated with emotional over- and undereating, and this association was stronger when mothers applied more pressure to eat. Maternal monitoring had a similar effect, with emotional overeating exerting a greater impact with low levels of maternal monitoring. Finally, maternal pressure to eat moderated the influence of preschoolers' sleep problems on emotional overeating, with higher pressure to eat predicting a stronger relationship between sleep problems and emotional overeating. These findings suggest that maternal feeding practices, which are relatively modifiable, should be considered an important element in intervention programs aimed at preventing emotional eating in preschool children.

Maternal caregiving stress and metabolic health: Sexual activity as a potential buffer

Chronic stress lead to dysregulation of metabolic hormones, creating risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Based on previous work suggesting the potential for sexual activity to relieve psychological stress and reduce stress-related neuroendocrine activity, the present research explored sexual activity as a protective factor. We focused on chronic stress in the form of caregiving stress, comparing premenopausal mothers of a child with an autism spectrum disorder vs. a neurotypical child, in relation to metabolic hormones - insulin (and insulin resistance as assessed by HOMA), leptin, and ghrelin. Then, we explored the moderating role of sexual activity. Our results showed that high-stress mothers showed higher levels of insulin, insulin resistance, and lower levels of ghrelin compared to low-stress mothers. However, sexual activity modulated these associations such that among mothers who were sexually active (as coded from their daily diaries), no significant differences in these outcomes were observed between groups. This buffering effect of sexual activity was distinguishable from the buffering effect of physical activity and independent of global relationship satisfaction. Together, our findings provide novel evidence supporting the potential protective effects of sexual activity from chronic stress-related metabolic disease risk.

Stress integration by an ascending adrenergic-melanocortin circuit

Stress is thought to be an important contributing factor for eating disorders; however, neural substrates underlying the complex relationship between stress and appetite are not fully understood. Using in vivo recordings from awake behaving mice, we show that various acute stressors activate catecholaminergic nucleus tractus solitarius (NTSTH) projections in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH). Remarkably, the resulting adrenergic tone inhibits MC4R-expressing neurons (PVHMC4R), which are known for their role in feeding suppression. We found that PVHMC4R silencing encodes negative valence in sated mice and is required for avoidance induced by visceral malaise. Collectively, these findings establish PVHMC4R neurons as an effector of stress-activated brainstem adrenergic input in addition to the well-established hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Convergent modulation of stress and feeding by PVHMC4R neurons implicates NTSTH → PVHMC4R input in stress-associated appetite disorders.

Emotional Eating Prevalence and Correlates in Adolescents in the United States

Background: Adolescent obesity rates continue to rise. A better understanding of who engages in emotional eating, a maladaptive eating style, is needed. Despite emotional eating being a frequent research target, the prevalence of emotional eating in US adolescents is currently unknown. Methods: Nationally representative adolescents (n = 1622, m = 14.48 years, 63.8% non-Hispanic White, 50.6% female) reported eating behaviors in the National Cancer Institute's Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) study. Frequencies and one-way ANOVAs were conducted to examine the rates of emotional eating across demographic and weight status groups. Correlations between emotional eating and dietary intake were examined. Results: In total, 30% of adolescents engaged in emotional eating. Older adolescents (35% of 17-year-olds), females (39%), non-Hispanic White individuals (32%), and adolescents with obesity (44%) had significantly higher rates of emotional eating. Controlling for weight status, greater adolescent emotional eating was correlated with more frequent intake of energy-dense/nutrient-poor foods (β = 0.10, p < 0.001), junk food (β = 0.12, p < 0.001), and convenience foods (β = 0.13, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study fills a critical gap by providing insight into how common adolescent emotional eating is and highlighting demographic factors that are associated with higher rates. Nearly a third of adolescents in the United States reported eating due to anxiety or sadness, with rates higher in older adolescents, girls, non-Hispanic White adolescents, and adolescents with obesity. Emotional eating was associated with consuming less healthy foods, which conveys immediate and long-term health risks. Practitioners can intervene with emotional eating to reduce obesity and comorbid health risks.

Eating behaviors as pathways from early childhood adversity to adolescent cardiometabolic risk

OBJECTIVE

To identify specific eating behavior pathways that mediate associations between financial difficulties, negative life events, and maternal depressive symptoms from 0 to 5 years and cardiometabolic risk in adolescence.

METHOD

Hypotheses were tested with data from birth to age 15 years using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a birth cohort in the United Kingdom (n = 3,887 for current analyses). Mothers reported on financial difficulties, negative life events, and maternal depressive symptoms at multiple points from 0 to 5 years and reported on worry about child overeating at 8 years. Youth self-reported restrained, emotional, and external eating at age 14. Youth completed a cardiometabolic health assessment at age 15 where waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and insulin resistance were measured. Longitudinal structural equation modeling with bootstrapping was used to test mediation models.

RESULTS

Greater negative life events and maternal depressive symptoms predicted greater parental worry about child overeating at age 8, which directly predicted greater restrained and emotional eating at 14 and cardiometabolic risk at 15. Restrained and emotional eating at 14 directly predicted greater cardiometabolic risk at age 15.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative life events and maternal depressive symptoms in infancy/early childhood are associated with cardiometabolic risk in adolescence through pathways of parental worry about child overeating in middle childhood and youth-reported restrained and emotional eating in adolescence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Characterization of adults concerning the use of a hypothetical mHealth application addressing stress-overeating: an online survey

BACKGROUND

About 40% of people respond to stress by consuming more unhealthy foods. This behavior is associated with increased energy intake and the risk of obesity. As mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) have been shown to be an easy-to-use intervention tool, the characterization of potential app users is necessary to develop target group-specific apps and to increase adherence rates.

METHODS

This cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the spring of 2021 in Germany. Sociodemographic data and data on personality (Big Five Inventory, BFI-10), stress-eating (Salzburg Stress Eating Scale, SSES), and technology behavior (Personal Innovativeness in the Domain of Information Technology, PIIT; Technology Acceptance Model 3, TAM 3) were collected.

RESULTS

The analysis included 1228 participants (80.6% female, mean age: 31.4 ± 12.8 years, mean body mass index (BMI): 23.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2). Based on the TAM score, 33.3% (409/1228) of the participants had a high intention to use a hypothetical mHealth app to avoid stress-overeating. These persons are characterized by a higher BMI (24.02 ± 4.47 kg/m2, p < 0.001), by being stress-overeaters (217/409, 53.1%), by the personality trait "neuroticism" (p < 0.001), by having specific eating reasons (all p < 0.01), and by showing a higher willingness to adopt new technologies (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that individuals who are prone to stress-overeating are highly interested in adopting an mHealth app as support. Participants with a high intention to use an mHealth app seem to have a general affinity towards new technology (PIIT) and appear to be more insecure with conflicting motives regarding their diet.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This survey was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (Registration number: DRKS00023984).

Eating disorders and obesity: bridging clinical, neurobiological, and therapeutic perspectives

Eating disorders (EDs) and obesity are complex health conditions sharing various risk and maintenance factors, intensified in cases of comorbidity. This review explores the similarities and connections between these conditions, examining different facets from a multidisciplinary perspective, among them comorbidities, metabolic and psychological factors, neurobiological aspects, and management and therapy implications. We aim to investigate the common characteristics and complexities of weight and EDs and explore their interrelationships in individuals who experience both. The rising prevalence of EDs in people with obesity necessitates integrated approaches to study this comorbidity and to identify and analyze both common and distinct features of these conditions. This review may offer new opportunities for simultaneous prevention and management approaches, as well as future lines of research.

Dietary habits, depression and obesity: an intricate relationship to explore in pediatric preventive strategies

Obesity and depression represent major health problems due to their high prevalence and morbidity rates. Numerous evidences elucidated the connections between dietary habits and the incidence or severity of depression. This overview aims to investigate the intricate relationship between dietary patterns and depression with the objective of elaborating preventive strategies for childhood obesity. Literature data recognized that there is a link between mood and food choices, with certain foods selected for their impact on the brain's reward centers. This behavior parallels the one observed in substance addiction, suggesting a specific neural mechanism for food addiction that contributes to overeating and obesity. It is important to note the significant correlation between obesity and depression, indicating a shared biological pathway influencing these conditions. Stress substantially affects also eating behaviors, often leading to increased consumption of pleasurable and rewarding foods. This can trigger a cycle of overeating, weight gain, and psychological distress, exacerbating mood disorders and obesity. In addition, consumption of certain types of foods, especially "comfort foods" high in fat and calories, may provide temporary relief from symptoms of depression, but can lead to long-term obesity and further mental health problems. Understanding these complex interactions is critical to developing preventive strategies focusing on dietary, emotional, and environmental factors, thereby reducing the risk of obesity and mood disorders.

3D genomic features across >50 diverse cell types reveal insights into the genomic architecture of childhood obesity

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide, along with the associated common comorbidities of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in later life. Motivated by evidence for a strong genetic component, our prior genome-wide association study (GWAS) efforts for childhood obesity revealed 19 independent signals for the trait; however, the mechanism of action of these loci remains to be elucidated. To molecularly characterize these childhood obesity loci we sought to determine the underlying causal variants and the corresponding effector genes within diverse cellular contexts. Integrating childhood obesity GWAS summary statistics with our existing 3D genomic datasets for 57 human cell types, consisting of high-resolution promoter-focused Capture-C/Hi-C, ATAC-seq, and RNA-seq, we applied stratified LD score regression and calculated the proportion of genome-wide SNP heritability attributable to cell type-specific features, revealing pancreatic alpha cell enrichment as the most statistically significant. Subsequent chromatin contact-based fine-mapping was carried out for genome-wide significant childhood obesity loci and their linkage disequilibrium proxies to implicate effector genes, yielded the most abundant number of candidate variants and target genes at the BDNF, ADCY3, TMEM18 and FTO loci in skeletal muscle myotubes and the pancreatic beta-cell line, EndoC-BH1. One novel implicated effector gene, ALKAL2 - an inflammation-responsive gene in nerve nociceptors - was observed at the key TMEM18 locus across multiple immune cell types. Interestingly, this observation was also supported through colocalization analysis using expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) derived from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) dataset, supporting an inflammatory and neurologic component to the pathogenesis of childhood obesity. Our comprehensive appraisal of 3D genomic datasets generated in a myriad of different cell types provides genomic insights into pediatric obesity pathogenesis.

Evaluation of the Relationships Among Mindful Eating, Environmental Beliefs, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, and Obesity in Children

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), mindful eating, environmental beliefs, and obesity in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 318 children (50.6% male, 49.4% female, 10.0 ± 0.73 years old). Data were obtained using survey and a face-to-face interview method. The questionnaire includes general information, anthropometric measurements, the New Ecological Paradigm Scale for Children (NEP), the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED), and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire for Children.

RESULTS

According to the KIDMED classification, 52.5% of the children were in the group that needs improvement, 35.2% were in the low diet quality group, and 12.3% were in the optimal MD group. The Mindless score was higher in overweight/obese children compared to the normal body mass index (BMI) group (P < .05). Awareness, NEP, and KIDMED scores were the lowest in overweight/obese children (P < .05). In regression analysis, the father's age, KIDMED, and Awareness scores related to NEP scores positively (R2 : 0.545, P < .001). Also, children's body mass index-related KIDMED scores negatively, and awareness and NEP scores related KIDMED scores positively (R2 : 0.276, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Our results show that higher adherence to the MD is associated with higher environmental beliefs. Children with higher mindful eating have higher environmental beliefs and adherence to the MD, and these scores are lower in obese children. Therefore, raising generations that adopt sustainable diet models and have high environmental awareness is necessary. This research provides significant findings for future clinical studies on children's body weight maintenance and sustainability. Cite this article as: Bozkurt O, Kocaadam-Bozkurt B, Koçyiğit E. Evaluation of the relationships among mindful eating, environmental beliefs, adherence to the mediterranean diet, and obesity in children. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2024;59(1):98-105.

Deep-Brain Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation Enhances Food-Related Motivation by Influencing Neuroinflammation and Anxiety Levels in a Rat Model of Early-Stage Parkinson's Disease

Deep-brain subthalamic nucleus stimulation (DBS-STN) has become a well-established therapeutic option for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). While the motor benefits of DBS-STN are widely acknowledged, the neuropsychiatric effects are still being investigated. Beyond its immediate effects on neuronal circuits, emerging research suggests that DBS-STN might also modulate the peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation. In this work, we assessed the effects of DBS-STN on food-related motivation, food intake pattern, and the level of anxiety and compared them with markers of cellular and immune activation in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic areas in rats with the 6-OHDA model of early PD. To evaluate the potential mechanism of observed effects, we also measured corticosterone concentration in plasma and leukocyte distribution in peripheral blood. We found that DBS-STN applied during neurodegeneration has beneficial effects on food intake pattern and motivation and reduces anxiety. These behavioral effects occur with reduced percentages of IL-6-labeled cells in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra pars compacta in the stimulated brain hemisphere. At the same brain structures, the cFos cell activations were confirmed. Simultaneously, the corticosterone plasma concentration was elevated, and the peripheral blood lymphocytes were reduced after DBS-STN. We believe that comprehending the relationship between the effects of DBS-STN on inflammation and its therapeutic results is essential for optimizing DBS therapy in PD.

The relationship between family function and the incidence of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents in Chengdu city, Sichuan province of China: based on latent profile analysis

BACKGROUND

Overweight/obesity in children and adolescents has become a global health problem, and family function may be associated with its occurrence. Studies exploring the association between family function and overweight/obesity in children and adolescents were performed in Western and Taiwan, China. To date, related studies haven't been conducted in Mainland China.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the current status of overweight, obesity, and family function among children and adolescents in Chengdu, China, and to explore their associations.

METHODS

Children and adolescents in five primary and middle schools were chosen by cluster sampling. Body Mass Index was used to measure the status of overweight and obesity, and the Chinese family assessment instrument was adopted to assess family function. Latent profile analysis and stepwise logistic regression were applied to identify family classification and explore the relationships between family function and overweight/obesity.

RESULTS

A total of 7616 (84.92%) children and adolescents out of 8968 completed the study with qualified-filled questionnaires. Nine hundred and sixty-six (12.68%)participants were overweight and 656 (8.61%) were obese. The family function was categorized into three profiles: mild (63.93%), moderate (12.32%), and severe (23.75%) dysfunction. The prevalence of overweight was 12.16%, 14.71%, and 13.05% for mild, moderate, and severe family dysfunction, respectively. And the prevalence of obesity was 8.19%, 10.77%, and 8.62% respectively. Participants in moderate and severe dysfunction families were more likely to be overweight (moderate: OR = 1.27, 95% CI:1.01 ~ 1.59, P = 0.04; severe: OR = 1.38, 95% CI:1.15 ~ 1.66, P = 0.001) and obese (moderate: OR = 1.35, 95% CI:1.02 ~ 1.79, P = 0.03; severe: OR = 1.55, 95% CI:1.23 ~ 1.96, P < 0.001). Sociodemographic data such as gender, residence, grade, pocket money per week, the number of siblings, and the education level of the mother were all associated with the risk of being overweight/obese in children and adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

The problems of being overweight or obese exist among children and adolescents in Chengdu. And the risk of being overweight or obese increases along with the decrease in family function.

Mechanisms of improved body composition among perimenopausal women practicing Meditative Movement: a proposed biobehavioral model

OBJECTIVES

Weight gain and unfavorable body composition are prevalent among midlife/older women throughout menopause. These shifts may negatively impact health, well-being, and longevity. Efforts to attenuate weight and body composition changes are traditionally driven by manipulation of diet and/or exercise; however, sustained results are limited, possibly because the full spectrum of biobehavioral systems is not addressed by diet and exercise alone. We propose a biobehavioral model detailing mechanisms of body composition decline among perimenopausal women and the associated components of Meditative Movement (ie, tai chi, qigong, yoga) that address each of these factors.

METHODS

Based on our previous work and extensive review of the literature, we developed a multifactorial and multidimensional biobehavioral model including factors that most directly relate to body composition among perimenopausal women: 1) psychological (ie, stress and mood, mindfulness and self-compassion, body awareness), 2) behavioral (ie, sleep, physical activity, eating behaviors), and 3) physiological (ie, cortisol, estrogen). Relationships between each factor, Meditative Movement practice components, and predicted effects on body composition were explored in detail.

RESULTS

Our model describes select psychological, behavioral, and physiological factors, and potential mechanistic pathways of Meditative Movement practice driving improved changes in body composition and weight outcomes for perimenopausal women.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed model details a novel, evidence-supported means to reduce the risk of deleterious shifts in body composition throughout perimenopause and menopause thereafter. We suggest that these changes may occur directly and/or indirectly through psychological, behavioral, and physiological mechanisms that facilitate the desired changes in body composition.

Stress, rhythm, choice and the munchies - tribute to Mary F. Dallman

In December 2021, we lost a pioneer in the field of stress research who inspired generations of scientists. Mary Dallman was an expert on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, its interactions with a wide variety of other physiological systems and the impact of chronic changes of HPA function on energy metabolism and adiposity. She was not only an excellent scientist, she was a great role model and mentor for young scientists, especially women. She encouraged and supported many of her trainees even long after they left the lab. Her outside-the-box thinking, the fun and crazy discussions we had in the lab proved to be a beautiful basis for my own future research.

Glucocorticoid feedback paradox: a homage to Mary Dallman

As the end product of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone coordinate circadian activities, stress-coping, and adaptation to change. For this purpose, the hormone promotes energy metabolism and controls defense reactions in the body and brain. This life-sustaining action exerted by glucocorticoids occurs in concert with the autonomic nervous and immune systems, transmitters, growth factors/cytokines, and neuropeptides. The current contribution will focus on the glucocorticoid feedback paradox in the HPA-axis: the phenomenon that stress responsivity remains resilient if preceded by stress-induced secretion of glucocorticoid hormone, but not if this hormone is previously administered. Furthermore, in animal studies, the mixed progesterone/glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 or mifepristone switches to an apparent partial agonist upon repeated administration. To address these enigmas several interesting phenomena are highlighted. These include the conditional nature of the excitation/inhibition balance in feedback regulation, the role of glucose as a determinant of stress responsivity, and the potential of glucocorticoids in resetting the stress response system. The analysis of the feedback paradox provides also a golden opportunity to review the progress in understanding the role of glucocorticoid hormone in resilience and vulnerability during stress, the science that was burned deeply in Mary Dallman's emotions.

Adrenergic modulation of melanocortin pathway by hunger signals

Norepinephrine (NE) is a well-known appetite regulator, and the nor/adrenergic system is targeted by several anti-obesity drugs. To better understand the circuitry underlying adrenergic appetite control, here we investigated the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), a key brain region that integrates energy signals and receives dense nor/adrenergic input, using a mouse model. We found that PVN NE level increases with signals of energy deficit and decreases with food access. This pattern is recapitulated by the innervating catecholaminergic axon terminals originating from NTSTH-neurons. Optogenetic activation of rostral-NTSTH → PVN projection elicited strong motivation to eat comparable to overnight fasting whereas its inhibition attenuated both fasting-induced & hypoglycemic feeding. We found that NTSTH-axons functionally targeted PVNMC4R-neurons by predominantly inhibiting them, in part, through α1-AR mediated potentiation of GABA release from ARCAgRP presynaptic terminals. Furthermore, glucoprivation suppressed PVNMC4R activity, which was required for hypoglycemic feeding response. These results define an ascending nor/adrenergic circuit, NTSTH → PVNMC4R, that conveys peripheral hunger signals to melanocortin pathway.

Association between adverse childhood experiences and fruit and vegetable intake among a national sample of U.S. adults

Few studies have examined the role adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have on specific diet patterns. This study assessed the association between ACEs and daily fruit and vegetable intake (FVI). Data were derived from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) which surveys 50 states and three U.S. territories. Participants who completed the ACEs module were included in the analyses (N = 106,967). Total ACEs included the summed responses from the domains of abuse, household challenges, and neglect. FVI was reported by number of times consumed per day. The two fruit items included fruit (fresh, frozen, and canned) and fruit juice. The four vegetable items included leafy greens, fried potatoes, non-fried potatoes, and other vegetables. All fruit and vegetable items were analyzed separately to see which specific items drove the relationship between total ACEs and total FVI, equaling a total of 8 regression models. Every model controlled for poor mental health days, sex, age, ethnicity, income, body mass index, and physical activity. Total ACEs were positively associated with daily intake of fried potatoes (β = 0.008, p =.025), other potatoes (β = 0.008, p =.049), and other vegetables (β = 0.024, p <.001). Total ACEs were negatively associated with daily intake of fruit (β = -0.016, p <.001). ACEs had non-significant relationships with leafy greens and fruit juice. Findings suggests that those with increased ACEs scores report increased consumption of fried potatoes, non-fried potatoes, and other vegetables, and less of fruit. Findings highlight the need for understanding food context and preparation when analyzing the relationship between ACEs and diet intake.

Applying psycho-behavioural phenotyping in obesity characterization

Individual differences in obesity, beyond being explained by metabolic and medical complications, are understood by alterations in eating behaviour which underlie psychological processes. From this psychological perspective, studies have identified several potential characteristic features at the psycho-behavioural level that could additionally explain the maintenance of chronic excess weight or the unsuccessful results of current treatments. To date, despite the growing evidence, the heterogeneity of the psychological evidence associated with obesity has made it challenging to generate consensus on whether these psycho-behavioural phenotypes can be a complement to improve outcomes of existing interventions. For this reason, this narrative review is an overview focused on summarizing studies describing the psycho-behavioural phenotypes associated with obesity. Based on the literature, three psychological constructs have emerged: reward dependence, cognitive control, and mood and emotion. We discuss the clinical implications of stratifying and identifying these psycho-behavioural profiles as potential target for interventions which may ensure a better response to treatment in individuals with obesity. Our conclusions pointed out a considerable overlap between these psycho-behavioural phenotypes suggesting bidirectional interactions between them. These findings endorse the complexity of the psycho-behavioural features associated with obesity and reinforce the need to consider them in order to improve treatment outcomes.

Male mice engaging differently in emotional eating present distinct plasmatic and neurological profiles

Objective: Stressed individuals tend to turn to calorie-rich food, also known as 'comfort food' for the temporary relief it provides. The emotional eating drive is highly variable among subjects. Using a rodent model, we explored the plasmatic and neurobiological differences between 'high and low emotional eaters' (HEE and LEE).Methods: 40 male mice were exposed for 5 weeks to a protocol of unpredictable chronic mild stress. Every 3 or 4 days, they were submitted to a 1-h restraint stress, immediately followed by a 3-h period during which a choice between chow and chocolate sweet cereals was proposed. The dietary intake was measured by weighing. Plasmatic and neurobiological characteristics were compared in mice displaying high vs low intakes.Results: Out of 40 mice, 8 were considered as HEE because of their high post-stress eating score, and 8 as LEE because of their consistent low intake. LEE displayed higher plasma corticosterone and lower levels of NPY than HEE, but acylated and total ghrelin were similar in both groups. In the brain, the abundance of NPY neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus was similar in both groups, but was higher in the ventral hippocampus and the basal lateral amygdala of LEE. The lateral hypothalamus LEE had also more orexin (OX) positive neurons. Both NPY and OX are orexigenic peptides and mood regulators.Discussion: Emotional eating difference was reflected in plasma and brain structures implicated in emotion and eating regulation. These results concur with the psychological side of food consumption.

Behavioral and Psychological Factors Affecting Weight Loss Success

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is a large variability between individuals in the weight loss response to any given diet treatment, which fuels interest into personalized or precision nutrition. Although most efforts are directed toward identifying biological or metabolic factors, several behavioral and psychological factors can also be responsible for some of this interindividual variability.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are many factors that can influence the response to dietary weight loss interventions, including factors related to eating behavior (emotional eating, disinhibition, restraint, perceived stress), behaviors and societal norms related to age and sex, psychological and personal factors (motivation, self-efficacy, locus of control, self-concept), and major life events. The success of a weight loss intervention can be influenced by many psychological and behavioral constructs and not merely by physiological factors such as biology and genetics. These factors are difficult to capture accurately and are often overlooked. Future weight loss studies should consider assessing such factors to better understand the underlying reasons for the large interindividual variability to weight loss therapy.

Socio-economic factors, mood, primary care utilization, and quality of life as predictors of intervention cessation and chronic stress in a type 2 diabetes prevention intervention (PREVIEW Study)

BACKGROUND

Sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet combined with overweight are risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Lifestyle interventions with weight-loss are effective in T2D-prevention, but unsuccessful completion and chronic stress may hinder efficacy. Determinants of chronic stress and premature cessation at the start of the 3-year PREVIEW study were examined.

METHODS

Baseline Quality of Life (QoL), social support, primary care utilization, and mood were examined as predictors of intervention cessation and chronic stress for participants aged 25 to 70 with prediabetes (n = 2,220). Moderating effects of sex and socio-economic status (SES) and independence of predictor variables of BMI were tested.

RESULTS

Participants with children, women, and higher SES quitted intervention earlier than those without children, lower SES, and men. Lower QoL, lack of family support, and primary care utilization were associated with cessation. Lower QoL and higher mood disturbances were associated with chronic stress. Predictor variables were independent (p ≤ .001) from BMI, but moderated by sex and SES.

CONCLUSIONS

Policy-based strategy in public health should consider how preventive interventions may better accommodate different individual states and life situations, which could influence intervention completion. Intervention designs should enable in-built flexibility in delivery enabling response to individual needs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01777893.

Spatial analysis of overweight prevalence in China: exploring the association with air pollution

BACKGROUND

Overweight is a known risk factor for various chronic diseases and poses a significant threat to middle-aged and elderly adults. Previous studies have reported a strong association between overweight and air pollution. However, the spatial relationship between the two remains unclear due to the confounding effects of spatial heterogeneity.

METHODS

We gathered height and weight data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Long-term Survey (CHARLS), comprising 16,171 middle-aged and elderly individuals. We also collected regional air pollution data. We then analyzed the spatial pattern of overweight prevalence using Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics. To quantify the explanatory power of distinct air pollutants for spatial differences in overweight prevalence across Southern and Northern China, as well as across different age groups, we utilized Geodetector's q-statistic.

RESULTS

The average prevalence of overweight among middle-aged and elderly individuals in each city was 67.27% and 57.39%, respectively. In general, the q-statistic in southern China was higher than that in northern China. In the north, the prevalence was significantly higher at 54.86% compared to the prevalence of 38.75% in the south. SO2 exhibited a relatively higher q-statistic in middle-aged individuals in both the north and south, while for the elderly in the south, NO2 was the most crucial factor (q = 0.24, p < 0.01). Moreover, fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) also demonstrated an important effect on overweight. Furthermore, we found that the pairwise interaction between various risk factors improved the explanatory power of the prevalence of overweight, with different effects for different age groups and regions. In northern China, the strongest interaction was found between NO2 and SO2 (q = 0.55) for middle-aged individuals and PM2.5 and SO2 (q = 0.27) for the elderly. Conversely, in southern China, middle-aged individuals demonstrated the strongest interaction between SO2 and PM10 (q = 0.60), while the elderly showed the highest interaction between NO2 and O3 (q = 0.42).

CONCLUSION

Significant spatial heterogeneity was observed in the effects of air pollution on overweight. Specifically, air pollution in southern China was found to have a greater impact on overweight than that in northern China. And, the impact of air pollution on middle-aged individuals was more pronounced than on the elderly, with distinct pollutants demonstrating significant variation in their impact. Moreover, we found that SO2 had a greater impact on overweight prevalence among middle-aged individuals, while NO2 had a greater impact on the elderly. Additionally, we identified significant statistically interactions between O3 and other pollutants.

Lipids in major depressive disorder: new kids on the block or old friends revisited?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric mood disorder that results in substantial functional impairment and is characterized by symptoms such as depressed mood, diminished interest, impaired cognitive function, and vegetative symptoms such as disturbed sleep. Although the exact etiology of MDD is unclear, several underlying mechanisms (disturbances in immune response and/or stress response) have been associated with its development, with no single mechanism able to account for all aspects of the disorder. Currently, about 1 in 3 patients are resistant to current antidepressant therapies. Providing an alternative perspective on MDD could therefore pave the way for new, unexplored diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. The central nervous system harbors an enormous pool of lipids and lipid intermediates that have been linked to a plethora of its physiological functions. The aim of this review is therefore to provide an overview of the implications of lipids in MDD and highlight certain MDD-related underlying mechanisms that involve lipids and/or their intermediates. Furthermore, we will also focus on the bidirectional relationship between MDD and the lipid-related disorders obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Relationship between Perceived Stress, Obesity, and Hypertension in Korean Adults and Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Perceived stress has a significant effect on metabolic diseases, including obesity and hypertension. However, the association between stress levels, obesity, and hypertension according to age and sex is not fully understood. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between stress levels and obesity and hypertension in Korean adults and older adults.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the 2015 survey of the Korea National Physical Fitness Project conducted by the Korea Institute of Sports Science and the Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Of the 3457 participants, 2829 were adults (20-64 years old) and 628 were older adults (≥65 years old). The correlation between obesity and hypertension according to the degree of perceived stress (low, medium, and high) was analyzed using the chi-square test. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influence of perceived stress levels on obesity and hypertension. Age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, exercise frequency, smoking, breakfast, and sleeping hours were included as covariates.

RESULTS

In adult males, perceived stress levels, age, and diastolic blood pressure were found to have a significant impact on obesity rates, whereas age and breakfast had a significant effect on hypertension rates. In adult females, age and systolic blood pressure were found to significantly influence obesity rates, whereas age, BMI, and exercise frequency had a significant impact on hypertension rates. In older adult females, perceived stress levels and systolic blood pressure were found to significantly impact obesity rates, and sleep duration influenced the rates of hypertension. The effect of perceived stress level on obesity and hypertension rates was less pronounced in the elderly population than in the adult population.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed age and sex differences in the relationship between perceived stress, obesity, and hypertension among Koreans. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationship between perceived stress and metabolic disorders and emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of the specific factors involved in the prevention and management of metabolic diseases.

Validation of complementary non-invasive tools for stress assessment in spotted paca (Cuniculus paca)

Monitoring the concentration of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) in faecal samples is a non-invasive tool for physiological stress evaluation, particularly useful when studying wild species. However, both negative and positive stimuli (distress and eustress, respectively) can lead to a rise in glucocorticoids. Thus, besides validating whether GCM concentration in faeces reflects endogenous adrenal activity, we also need to identify behavioural indicators of distress to avoid misinterpretation. Therefore, we submitted four adult male spotted pacas (Cuniculus paca) to an exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge-test in a Latin square design (4 × 4) to monitor changes in the GCM concentration in faeces. We also aimed to describe behaviours potentially indicative of distress. We collected excreted faeces and video-recorded the animals' behaviours for five consecutive days, one day before and four days after application of the following four treatments: 1st control (no-handling); 2nd control (intra-muscular [IM] injection of saline solution); low-dose ACTH (IM injection of 0.18 ml ACTH); and high-dose ACTH (IM injection of 0.37 ml ACTH). There was a peak in the concentration of GCM in faeces collected 24 h after the injection of the high-dose ACTH treatment. Additionally, independent of the treatments, spotted pacas spent less time on exploration and feeding states, while spending more time in the inactive but awake (IBA) state following the treatment application (challenge day). The use of GCM concentration in faecal samples together with the behavioural changes (less exploration and feeding, and more IBA) showed to be efficient as a non-invasive tool for welfare assessment of farmed spotted paca.

Shared biological mechanisms of depression and obesity: focus on adipokines and lipokines

Depression and obesity are both common disorders currently affecting public health, frequently occurring simultaneously within individuals, and the relationship between these disorders is bidirectional. The association between obesity and depression is highly co-morbid and tends to significantly exacerbate metabolic and related depressive symptoms. However, the neural mechanism under the mutual control of obesity and depression is largely inscrutable. This review focuses particularly on alterations in systems that may mechanistically explain the in vivo homeostatic regulation of the obesity and depression link, such as immune-inflammatory activation, gut microbiota, neuroplasticity, HPA axis dysregulation as well as neuroendocrine regulators of energy metabolism including adipocytokines and lipokines. In addition, the review summarizes potential and future treatments for obesity and depression and raises several questions that need to be answered in future research. This review will provide a comprehensive description and localization of the biological connection between obesity and depression to better understand the co-morbidity of obesity and depression.

Obesity, Chronic Stress, and Stress Reduction

The obesity epidemic is caused by the misalignment between human biology and the modern food environment, which has led to unhealthy eating patterns and behaviors and an increase in metabolic diseases. This has been caused by the shift from a "leptogenic" to an "obesogenic" food environment, characterized by the availability of unhealthy food and the ability to eat at any time of day due to advances in technology. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder, characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating and a sense of loss of control over eating, and is treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy-enhanced (CBT-E). Shift work, especially night shift work, can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythms and increase the risk of obesity and other negative health consequences, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. One dietary approach to address circadian dysregulation is time-restricted eating (TRE), which involves restricting food intake to specific periods of the day to synchronize the body's internal clock with the external environment. TRE has been found to cause modest weight loss and improve metabolic outcomes such as insulin sensitivity and blood pressure, but the extent to which it is beneficial may depend on adherence and other factors such as caloric restriction.

Behavioral, cognitive, and socioemotional pathways from early childhood adversity to BMI: Evidence from two prospective, longitudinal studies

Childhood adversity is associated with higher adult weight, but few investigations prospectively test mechanisms accounting for this association. Using two socioeconomically high-risk prospective longitudinal investigations, the Minnesota Longitudinal Study of Risk and Adaptation (MLSRA; N = 267; 45.3% female) and the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS; n = 2,587; 48.5% female), pathways between childhood adversity and later body mass index (BMI) were tested using impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and overeating as mediators. Childhood adversity from 0 to 5 years included four types of adversities: greater unpredictability, threat/abuse, deprivation/neglect, and low socioeconomic status. Parents reported on child impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and overeating. Height and weight were self-reported and measured at 32 and 37 years in MLSRA and at 15 years in FFCWS. FFCWS results indicated that threat, deprivation, and low socioeconomic status predicted greater impulsivity and emotion dysregulation at 5 years, which in turn predicted greater overeating at 9 years and higher BMI z-score at 15 years. Early unpredictability in FFCWS predicted higher BMI through greater impulsivity but not emotion dysregulation at age 5. MLSRA regression results replicated the threat/abuse → emotion dysregulation → overeating → higher BMI pathway. These findings suggest that different dimensions of early adversity may follow both similar and unique pathways to predict BMI.

A biobehavioral examination of emotional eating in adolescents: Evaluating the role of acute cortisol stress reactivity in the context of a multi-method assessment of eating in response to stress

Stress is linked to emotional eating among adolescents, which in turn increases risk for overweight/obesity (OW/OB) development and continuation. There is a lack of research disentangling chronic and acute stress as predictors of adolescent emotional eating. Further, there is a corresponding need to understand the effects of acute physiological stress reactivity within the context of adolescent emotional eating. The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of cortisol stress reactivity on emotional eating in adolescents, above and beyond the effects of perceived chronic stress. The impact of subjective stress reactivity was also explored. Adolescents' (N = 49) intake of highly palatable snack foods was measured on separate control and stress-induction (following the Trier Social Stress Test for Children) days. A multi-method approach was used to assess objective (caloric intake) and subjective (self-report) emotional eating. Results indicated that greater cortisol reactivity, but not subjective stress reactivity, predicted subjective emotional eating, beyond the impact of chronic stress. Neither chronic stress nor subjective or objective stress reactivity predicted objective emotional eating following stress-induction. Findings point to the role of chronic stress and cortisol reactivity as risks for greater perceived emotional eating among adolescents, while elucidating differences between perceived and objective emotional eating. Future research should explore how chronic versus acute stress differentially contribute to adolescent weight management.

Preschool Executive Control, Temperament, and Adolescent Dietary Behaviors

BACKGROUND

Child temperament styles characterized by increased emotionality or pleasure seeking may increase risk for less healthful eating patterns, while strong executive control (EC) may be protective. The interaction of these characteristics with longitudinal outcomes has not yet been examined.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to examine the association of preschool temperament and EC, as well as their interaction with adolescent eating.

METHODS

Preschoolers (N = 313) were recruited into a longitudinal study, with behavioral measurement of EC at age 5.25 years, temperament assessed multiple times across preschool, and eating outcomes assessed in adolescence (mean age = 15.34 years).

RESULTS

Separate latent moderated structural equation models demonstrated that weaker EC was associated with eating less healthful foods, including high sugar foods, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and convenience foods (p < .05). In the moderation models, negative affectivity temperament was correlated with eating less healthful foods, high sugar foods, and SSBs (p < .05). Children lower in surgency/extraversion temperament were more likely to drink SSBs. There was an interaction between temperament and EC, such that children high in negative affectivity with weaker EC were particularly more likely to consume less healthful foods, high sugar foods, and SSBs (p < .05). There was no interaction of surgency with EC and food consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

Child characteristics measured early in development were associated with later adolescent eating behaviors. Adequate EC could be necessary to counteract the drive toward eating associated with temperaments high in negative affectivity.

Negative affect and loss-of-control eating in relation to adiposity among non-Hispanic youth identifying as black or white

Negative affect and loss-of-control (LOC)-eating are consistently linked and prevalent among youth identifying as non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHW), particularly those with high weight. Given health disparities in high weight and associated cardiometabolic health concerns among NHB youth, elucidating how the association of negative affect with adiposity may vary by racial/ethnic group, and whether that relationship is impacted by LOC-eating, is warranted. Social inequities and related stressors are associated with negative affect among NHB youth, which may place this group at increased risk for excess weight gain. Across multiple aggregated protocols, 651 youth (13.0 ± 2.7 y; 65.9 % girls, 40.7 % NHB; 1.0 ± 1.1 BMIz; 37.6 % LOC-eating) self-reported trait anxiety and depressive symptoms as facets of negative affect. LOC-eating was assessed by interview and adiposity was measured objectively. Cross-sectional moderated mediation models predicted adiposity from ethno-racial identification (NHB, NHW) through the pathway of anxiety or depressive symptoms and examined whether LOC-eating influenced the strength of the pathway, adjusting for SES, age, height, and sex. The association between ethno-racial identity and adiposity was partially mediated by both anxiety (95 % CI = [0.01, 0.05]) and depressive symptoms (95 % CI = [0.02, 0.08]), but the mediation was not moderated by LOC-eating for either anxiety (95 % CI = [-0.04, 0.003]) or depressive symptoms (95 % CI = [-0.07, 0.03]). Mechanisms underlying the link between negative affect and adiposity among NHB youth, such as stress from discrimination and stress-related inflammation, should be explored. These data highlight the need to study impacts of social inequities on psychosocial and health outcomes.

Food addiction, hormones and blood biomarkers in humans: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Food addiction may play a role in rising obesity rates in connection with obesogenic environments and processed food availability, however the concept of food addiction remains controversial. While animal studies show evidence for addictive processes in relation to processed foods, most human studies are psychologically focussed and there is a need to better understand evidence for biological mechanisms of food addiction in humans. Several key hormones are implicated in models of food addiction, due to their key roles in feeding, energy metabolism, stress and addictive behaviours. This systematic literature review examines evidence for relationships between food addiction, hormones and other blood biomarkers.

METHODS

A series of literature searches was performed in Scopus, PsychInfo, MedLine, ProQuest, CINAHL and Web of Science. A total of 3111 articles were found, of which 1045 were duplicates. Articles were included if they contained a psychometric measurement of food addiction, such as the Yale Food Addiction Scale, as well as addressed the association between FA and hormones or blood biomarkers in humans. Articles were assessed for eligibility by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were identified that examined relationships between food addiction and blood biomarkers, published between 2015 and 2021. Significant findings were reported for leptin, ghrelin, cortisol, insulin and glucose, oxytocin, cholesterol, plasma dopamine, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), amylin, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) and cholecystokinin (CCK). Methodological issues included small sample sizes and variation in obesity status, sex and mental health-related comorbidities. Due to methodological limitations, definite connections between FA, hormones and other blood biomarkers cannot yet be determined.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review identified preliminary evidence linking FA symptoms to hormones and other blood biomarkers related to feeding, addiction, and stress. However, due to the small number of studies and methodological limitations, further research is needed to evaluate biopsychosocial models of FA and to resolve controversies.

Frank Beach Award Winner: The centrality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in dealing with environmental change across temporal scales

Understanding if and how individuals and populations cope with environmental change is an enduring question in evolutionary ecology that has renewed importance given the pace of change in the Anthropocene. Two evolutionary strategies of coping with environmental change may be particularly important in rapidly changing environments: adaptive phenotypic plasticity and/or bet hedging. Adaptive plasticity could enable individuals to match their phenotypes to the expected environment if there is an accurate cue predicting the selective environment. Diversifying bet hedging involves the production of seemingly random phenotypes in an unpredictable environment, some of which may be adaptive. Here, I review the central role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoids (GCs) in enabling vertebrates to cope with environmental change through adaptive plasticity and bet hedging. I first describe how the HPA axis mediates three types of adaptive plasticity to cope with environmental change (evasion, tolerance, recovery) over short timescales (e.g., 1-3 generations) before discussing how the implications of GCs on phenotype integration may depend upon the timescale under consideration. GCs can promote adaptive phenotypic integration, but their effects on phenotypic co-variation could also limit the dimensions of phenotypic space explored by animals over longer timescales. Finally, I discuss how organismal responses to environmental stressors can act as a bet hedging mechanism and therefore enhance evolvability by increasing genetic or phenotypic variability or reducing patterns of genetic and phenotypic co-variance. Together, this emphasizes the crucial role of the HPA axis in understanding fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology.

A Systematic Review on the Association between Obesity and Mood Disorders and the Role of Gut Microbiota

Obesity is a complex health condition that increases the susceptibility to developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and numerous other metabolic health issues. The effect of obesity is not just limited to the conditions mentioned above; it is also seen to have a profound impact on the patient’s mental state, leading to the onset of various mental disorders, particularly mood disorders. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the mechanism underlying the crosstalk between obesity and mental disorders. The gut microbiota is vital in regulating and maintaining host physiology, including metabolism and neuronal circuits. Because of this newly developed understanding of gut microbiota role, here we evaluated the published diverse information to summarize the achievement in the field. In this review, we gave an overview of the association between obesity, mental disorders, and the role of gut microbiota there. Further new guidelines and experimental tools are necessary to understand the microbial contribution to regulate a balanced healthy life.

Assessment of Stress Caused by Environmental Changes for Improving the Welfare of Laboratory Beagle Dogs

Animal stress is influenced by environmental factors, yet only a few studies have evaluated the effects of environmental stress on captive dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental and social enrichment on the stress levels of captive dogs housed in a lab. We assessed stress levels in eight Beagle dogs by measuring their body weight, cortisol levels, a stress hormone, the alkaline phosphatase activity in serum, the number of steps per hour, as well as clinical sign observations in a changed environment for 6 weeks. Four dogs assigned to a control group were raised alone in a relatively narrow place without toys; four dogs assigned to an experimental group were raised together in a relatively large place with toys. The body weight of the control group remained unchanged, while that of the experimental group decreased. Cortisol levels in the control group increased throughout, whereas those in the experimental group increased for up to 2 weeks and decreased thereafter. Consequently, cortisol levels in the experimental group significantly decreased compared to the control group at 6 weeks (p = 0.048). Fighting was observed among the dogs in the experimental group at 3 weeks; thus, one dog was separated from the group. The number of steps per hour was more than twice as high in the experimental than in the control group. Thereby, we determined that social housing, with appropriate companions and environmental enrichment materials, can reduce stress levels in captive dogs more efficiently than in single housing without such materials. Our study provides useful insights for captive animal organizations, such as kenneled dogs' management, to improve animal welfare.

Association between Family and School Pressures, Consumption of Ultra-Processed Beverages, and Obesity in Preadolescents: A School-Based Epidemiological Study

The aim of the present work was two-fold. Firstly, to evaluate the association between the consumption of ultra-processed beverages (UPB) on preadolescents’ likelihood of being obese. Secondly, to investigate the potential impact of family and school environmental stressors on this unhealthy lifestyle habit. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1718 Greek preadolescents and their parents, during the school years 2014 to 2016. Parental and child characteristics were collected anonymously, through self-administered and validated questionnaires. Among others, UPB consumption (soft and flavored drinks) was recorded, classifying children as low, moderate, or high consumers, while anthropometric characteristics [height, body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI)] were also recorded. Almost seven out of ten preadolescents were classified as at least moderate UPB consumers, while approximately three out of ten were classified as high UPB consumers. Higher UPB consumption was associated with significantly higher levels of BMI, while preadolescents living in a more stressful family and school environment were found to consume significantly higher amounts of UPB. Stakeholders should implement programs that raise awareness among parents and teachers about the sources of stress in preadolescence as a potential “triggering factor” of unhealthy dietary preferences.

Glucocorticoids, stress and eating: The mediating role of appetite-regulating hormones

Disrupted hormonal appetite signaling plays a crucial role in obesity as it may lead to uncontrolled reward-related eating. Such disturbances can be induced not only by weight gain itself but also by glucocorticoid overexposure, for example, due to chronic stress, disease, or medication use. However, the exact pathways are just starting to be understood. Here, we present a conceptual framework of how glucocorticoid excess may impair hormonal appetite signaling and, consequently, eating control in the context of obesity. The evidence we present suggests that counteracting glucocorticoid excess can lead to improvements in appetite signaling and may therefore pose a crucial target for obesity prevention and treatment. In turn, targeting hormonal appetite signals may not only improve weight management and eating behavior but may also decrease detrimental effects of glucocorticoid excess on cardio-metabolic outcomes and mood. We conclude that gaining a better understanding of the relationship between glucocorticoid excess and circulating appetite signals will contribute greatly to improvements in personalized obesity prevention and treatment.

Self-regulation linking the quality of early parent-child relationship to adolescents' obesity risk and food consumption

BACKGROUND

The quality of parent-child relationships has been examined as a contributor to children's healthy behaviours and weight outcomes, but the mechanisms accounting for associations remain understudied.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined whether the quality of early parent-child relationship is associated with adolescent obesity risk and whether self-regulation and (un)healthful food consumption mediate these associations.

METHODS

Employing structural equation modelling, two theory-driven models were examined using a large sample (N = 1237) drawn from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Indicators of the quality of parent-child relationship included assessments of child attachment security and observational assessments of maternal sensitivity (15, 24, and 36 months). Self-regulation at 54 months was assessed using behavioural and computerized tasks and, at ages 11-12 and 15 years, using parental ratings of self-control. Food consumption was self-reported at age 11-12. Height and weight measures in early/middle childhood and adolescence were used to compute BMI z-scores.

RESULTS

No direct associations between the quality of parent-child relationship and adolescent obesity risk were found in either model. Instead, child self-regulation was found to mediate the associations between the quality of parent-child relationship and both unhealthy food consumption and higher adolescent BMI status.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight how the nature of parent-child relationships impacts developing regulatory processes in children which, in turn, have implications for obesity-related behaviours and outcomes. Interventions to reduce childhood obesity should consider self-regulation skills across multiple domains, and early parenting practices that foster these capacities.

Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) differentially affects satiation in mice fed a regular or a high fat diet

Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) is a widely used food additive and the toxicity after oral consumption is still under research, although it has been already banned in some countries. The consumption of this additive occurs mainly through ultra-processed food products which also contain high amounts of fat. High fat diets (HFD) impair the physiological system controlling satiation and satiety, which are responsible for control of food intake and energy status. The impact of E171 on animal behavior has been poorly explored and here we hypothesize that E171 could worsen the effects on feeding behavior induced by HFD. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of E171 on the feeding pattern and the behavioral satiety sequence (BSS) of mice fed with a regular diet (RD) or a HFD after 1 and 16 weeks of exposure. The results showed that RD + E171 increased food intake and feeding time, but the prototypical structure of the BSS pattern (feeding→ grooming-activity → resting), was preserved. Conversely, food consumption was not altered in HFD + E171, but the BSS pattern was disrupted as the animals prolonged resting time and spent less time being active. Our findings suggest that E171 delayed the onset of satiation in mice fed with RD but induced the opposite effect in mice fed with HFD.

Sex-dependent role of orexin deficiency in feeding behavior and affective state of mice following intermittent access to a Western diet - Implications for binge-like eating behavior

Binge eating disorder is a debilitating disease characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption and associated with psychiatric comorbidities. Despite a growing body of research investigating the neurobiological underpinnings of eating disorders, specific treatments are lacking. Given its fundamental role in feeding behaviors, we investigated the role of the orexin (hypocretin) neuropeptide system in binge-like eating and associated phenotypes. Specifically, we submitted female and male orexin-deficient mice to a paradigm of intermittent access (once weekly for 24 h) to a Western diet (WD) to induce binge-like eating. Additionally, we measured their anxiety-like behavior and plasma corticosterone levels. All mice showed binge-like eating in response to the intermittent WD access, but females did so to a greater extent than males. While orexin deficiency did not affect binge-like eating in this paradigm, we found that female orexin-deficient mice generally weighed more, and they expressed increased hypophagia and stress levels compared to wild-type mice following binge-like eating episodes. These detrimental effects of orexin deficiency were marginal or absent in males. Moreover, male wild-type mice expressed post-binge anxiety, but orexin-deficient mice did not. In conclusion, these results extend our knowledge of orexin's role in dysregulated eating and associated negative affective states, and contribute to the growing body of evidence indicating a sexual dimorphism of the orexin system. Considering that many human disorders, and especially eating disorders, have a strong sex bias, our findings further emphasize the importance of testing both female and male subjects.

Regional specific effect of saturated vs unsaturated fat on leptin receptor signalling in mice brain areas regulating feeding

Leptin receptors (LepR) are expressed in brain areas controlling food intake homeostasis, such as the hypothalamus, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. In a previous study we reported that long-term intake of saturated and monounsaturated fat alters hypothalamic LepR signalling. The current study aims at investigating the effect of foods high in either saturated (SOLF) or monounsaturated fat (UOLF) on LepR functionality in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. Male mice were placed on SOLF/UOLF (eight weeks), then treated with recombinant murine leptin (1 mg/kg). After 60 min, brain regions were dissected and processed for western blot of phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3), Akt (pAkt) and AMPK (pAMPK). Levels of SOCS3 were also quantified. SOLF itself increased basal levels of pSTAT3, while UOLF impaired leptin-induced phosphorylation of both Akt and AMPK. SOCS3 levels were specifically increased by UOLF within the prefrontal cortex. Our results show that SOLF and UOLF differently affect LepR signalling within the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, which points to the complex effect of saturated and unsaturated fat on brain function, particularly in areas regulating food intake.

Associations of polygenic risks, depression, and obesity-related traits in Taiwan Biobank

BACKGROUND

The comorbidity of obesity and major depressive disorder (MDD) may be attributable to a bidirectional relationship and shared genetic influence. We aimed to examine the polygenic associations between obesity and MDD and to characterize their corresponding impacts on the obesity mechanism.

METHODS

Genome-wide genotyping was available in 106,604 unrelated individuals from Taiwan Biobank. Polygenic risk score (PRS) for body mass index (BMI) and MDD was derived to evaluate their effects on obesity-related traits. Stratified analyses were performed for the modified effect of depression on the polygenic associations.

RESULTS

The MDD PRS was positively associated with waistline (beta in per SD increase in PRS = 0.12), hipline (beta = 0.08), waist-hip ratio (WHR) (beta = 0.05), body fat rate (beta = 0.08), BMI (beta = 0.05), overweight (OR = 1.02 for BMI ≥ 25), and obesity (OR = 1.05 for BMI ≥ 30). For the synergism between depression and BMI PRS, the presence of active depression symptoms defined by the PHQ-4 (p for interaction < 0.05 for waistline, WHR, and BMI) was more salient than lifetime MDD.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include recall bias for MDD due to a retrospective self-reporting questionnaire, a low response rate of the PHQ-4 for evaluating active psychological symptoms, and limited generalizability to non-Taiwanese ancestries.

CONCLUSIONS

The shared genetic etiology of obesity and depression was demonstrated. The amplified effect of BMI polygenic effect on obesity for individuals with active depressive symptoms was also characterized. The study may be helpful for designing public health interventions to reduce the disease burden caused by obesity and depression.

Early adversity promotes binge-like eating habits by remodeling a leptin-responsive lateral hypothalamus-brainstem pathway

Early-life trauma (ELT) is a risk factor for binge eating and obesity later in life, yet the neural circuits that underlie this association have not been addressed. Here, we show in mice that downregulation of the leptin receptor (Lepr) in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and its effect on neural activity is crucial in causing ELT-induced binge-like eating and obesity upon high-fat diet exposure. We also found that the increased activity of Lepr-expressing LH (LHLepr) neurons encodes sustained binge-like eating in ELT mice. Inhibition of LHLepr neurons projecting to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray normalizes these behavioral features of ELT mice. Furthermore, activation of proenkephalin-expressing ventrolateral periaqueductal gray neurons, which receive inhibitory inputs from LHLepr neurons, rescues ELT-induced maladaptive eating habits. Our results identify a circuit pathway that mediates ELT-induced maladaptive eating and may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for binge eating and obesity.

Adverse childhood experiences and pre-pregnancy body mass index in the HUNT study: A population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the association between adverse childhood experiences and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) in a population-based cohort in Trøndelag county, Norway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We linked data from the third (2006-2008) or fourth (2017-2019) survey of the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway for 6679 women. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association between adverse childhood experiences and pre-pregnancy BMI. Adverse childhood experiences were self-reported in adulthood and included perceiving childhood as difficult, parental divorce, parental death, dysfunctional family environment, bad childhood memories and lack of support from a trusted adult. Pre-pregnancy BMI was derived from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway or BMI measurement from the HUNT survey conducted within 2 years prior to the woman's pregnancy.

RESULTS

Perceiving childhood as difficult was associated with higher odds of pre-pregnancy underweight (OR 1.78, 95%CI 0.99-3.22) and obesity (OR 1.58, 95%CI 1.14-2.2). A difficult childhood was positively associated with obesity with an adjusted OR of 1.19, 95%CI 0.79-1.81 (class I obesity), 2.32, 95%CI 1.35-4.01 (class II obesity) and 4.62, 95%CI 2.0-10.65 (class III obesity). Parental divorce was positively associated obesity (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.10-1.63). Bad childhood memories were associated with both overweight (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.01-1.79) and obesity (OR 1.63, 95%CI 1.13-2.34). Parental death was not associated with pre-pregnancy BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood adversities were associated with pre-pregnancy BMI. Our results suggest that the positive associations between childhood adversities and pre-pregnancy obesity increased with increasing obesity level.

Coping in adolescents: A mediator between stress and disordered eating

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a developmental period that can place individuals at heightened risk of engaging in disordered eating patterns. Stress and coping have been included as etiological factors of eating pathology, yet the mechanism of this relationship in adolescent males and females remains understudied.

AIMS

This study investigated the role of coping as a mediator in the stress-disordered eating relationship in a sample of adolescents.

DEMOGRAPHICS/SETTINGS

Participants included 2262 grade 7-12 students from a larger cross-sectional study entitled, Research on Eating and Adolescent Lifestyles (REAL).

METHODOLOGY/ANALYSES

Participants completed measures of perceived stress, life stressors, coping style, and disordered eating. Multiple mediator models of coping were analyzed to examine the extent to which coping mediated the stress-disordered eating relationship, for males and females separately.

FINDINGS

Emotion-oriented coping was a significant partial mediator in the relationship between stress (perceived stress, life stressors) and disordered eating in male and female adolescents. Findings suggest adolescents experiencing high stress tend to engage in emotion-oriented coping, which may lead to greater levels of disordered eating.

IMPLICATIONS

Interventions targeting effective coping strategies for dealing with different stress types may prevent youth from disordered eating, thus reducing their risk of eating disorders during a vulnerable period in development.

The association between childhood trauma and overweight and obesity in young adults: the mediating role of food addiction

PURPOSE

Childhood trauma is associated with increased risk of obesity during adulthood, which may be associated with the development of food addiction. This study examined whether food addiction mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and obesity in young adults.

METHODS

A sample of 512 young adults, aged 18 to 30 years, living with overweight and obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 25 kg/m2), from the United Kingdom participated in the study. Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Yale Food Addiction Scale, and provided their current height and weight to compute their Body Mass Index (BMI).

RESULTS

Using the PROCESS macro, a mediation analysis found that food addiction accounted for 45% of variance in the relationship between childhood trauma and BMI. Post hoc analyses were conducted to examine the mediating effect of food addiction across each of the five subscales of the CTQ (emotional/physical/sexual abuse and emotional/physical neglect). Food addiction accounted for 32% to 51% of the variance in the relationship between each CTQ subscale and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that experiences of childhood trauma are associated with the development of overweight and obesity during early adulthood and up to half of this relationship can be attributed to food addiction, which is likely used as a maladaptive coping mechanism in response to trauma. Young adults living with overweight and obesity who report experiences of childhood trauma may benefit from the support of clinical and counselling psychologists to improve their understanding of the underlying psychosocial factors that influence their eating behaviours.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, cross-sectional analytic study.

Validation of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire in Poland

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is increasingly diagnosed in pre-school and early primary school children. Eating styles displayed by the youngest children may contribute to the development of overweight and obesity. Their assessment may be extremely important in diagnosing the causes of obesity, but also in planning treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In view of the need to introduce a tool for assessing eating behaviours in children in Poland, the aim of the study was to develop the Polish adaptation of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 151 mothers of children aged 3-10 years (M = 6.77, SD = 2.34), who completed the Polish version of the CEBQ. In order to assess the validity of the questionnaire, a factor analysis was conducted, using the principal components method with the Oblimin rotation and Kaiser normalization. To assess the reliability of the questionnaire, its internal consistency was checked by calculating Cronbach's alpha consistency coefficient. The external validity of the CEBQ was also checked by correlating its scales with those of the Temperament Questionnaire (EAS-C).

RESULTS

The principal components analysis extracted an eight-factor scale from the 35 items of the questionnaire in which a total of 60.57% of the common variance was explained. The validity of such an eight-factor solution was confirmed by the Kaiser method. Satisfactorily high values of Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient were obtained (0.78). Positive correlations were found between emotionality and emotional undereating and overeating, between shyness and fussiness and negative correlations between activity and slowness in eating, sociability and fussiness and slowness in eating and between shyness and enjoyment of food.

CONCLUSIONS

The Polish version of the CEBQ is characterized by the acceptable validity and reliability and has a satisfactory criterion accuracy; therefore, it can be used as a psychometric tool to assess eating behaviours in Polish children.

“Ferrocrinology”—Iron Is an Important Factor Involved in Gluco- and Lipocrinology

“Ferrocrinology” is the term used to describe the study of iron effects on the functioning of adipose tissue, which together with muscle tissue makes the largest endocrine organ in the human body. By impairing exercise capacity, reducing AMP-activated kinase activity, and enhancing insulin resistance, iron deficiency can lead to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Due to impaired browning of white adipose tissue and reduced mitochondrial iron content in adipocytes, iron deficiency (ID) can cause dysfunction of brown adipose tissue. By reducing ketogenesis, aconitase activity, and total mitochondrial capacity, ID impairs muscle performance. Another important aspect is the effect of ID on the impairment of thermogenesis due to reduced binding of thyroid hormones to their nuclear receptors, with subsequently impaired utilization of norepinephrine in tissues, and impaired synthesis and distribution of cortisol, which all make the body’s reactivity to stress in ID more pronounced. Iron deficiency can lead to the development of the most common endocrinopathy, autoimmune thyroid disease. In this paper, we have discussed the role of iron in the cross-talk between glucocrinology, lipocrinology and myocrinology, with thyroid hormones acting as an active bystander.

Body mass index trajectories from childhood concerning emotional states in young adulthood: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

This study aimed to identify body mass index (BMI) trajectories from childhood and their relationships with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in young adulthood. A total of 687 children aged 4-18 years were recruited from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Throughout 18 years of follow-up, BMI was measured every 3 years for a maximum of 6 data points. Participants completed the depression, anxiety, and stress scale in their young adulthood (aged 22-36). The group-based trajectory modelling was applied to identify BMI patterns. The logistic regression model was used to assess the association between BMI trajectories and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in adulthood. Two BMI trajectories were identified from childhood to young adulthood: healthy weight (HW = 69.6%) and persistent increasing overweight/obesity (PIO = 30.4%). After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with the HW group, men in the PIO group were more likely to experience higher stress levels (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 0.99-2.63; p = 0.05). No significant association was observed between the PIO trajectory and depression and anxiety among both sexes and stress symptoms in females. Our results highlight that developing overweight and obesity from childhood may be related to increased stress in males.