(20-05-09) Stress direct contributor to teen obesity

AMES, Iowa, May 15 (UPI) -- Iowa State University researchers say increased levels of stress in teens are associated with a greater likelihood of them being overweight or obese.
Lead author Brenda Lohman, Susan Stewart, Steven Garasky and colleagues analyzed data from a six-year longitudinal investigation and measured the height and weight of the adolescents to determine their body mass index, which was subsequently used to determine weight status based on two widely used classification systems.

Adolescent food insecurity status and individual, maternal and family stressors were also determined through interviews, the
researchers said.

The study of 1,011 adolescents ages 10-15 and their mothers
from low income families living in Boston, Chicago and San Antonio, Texas, found 47 percent of the teen were overweight or obese, but that percentage increased to 56.2 percent among those who were impacted by four or more stressors

The study, published online ahead of print in the August issue of
the Journal of Adolescent Health, said that an adolescent or youth who's more stressed -- caused by such things as having poor grades, mental health problems, more aggressive behavior, or doing more drugs and alcohol -- is also more likely to be overweight or obese.

Source: http://www.upi.com/Health_News

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