Determinants of Perceived Stress in Individuals with Obesity: Exploring the Relationship of Potentially Obesity-Related Factors and Perceived Stress

Abstract

Objective: Associations of specific types of stress with increased food intake and subsequent weight gain have been demonstrated in animal models as well as in experimental and epidemiological studies on humans. This study explores the research question of to what extent potentially obesity-related factors determine perceived stress in individuals with obesity. Methods: N = 547 individuals with obesity participated in a cross-sectional study assessing perceived stress as the outcome variable and potential determinants of stress related to obesity. Based on the available evidence, a five factorial model of ‘obesity-related obesogenic stressors' was hypothesized, including the dimensions, ‘drive for thinness', ‘impulse regulation', ‘ineffectiveness', ‘social insecurity', and ‘body dissatisfaction'. The model was tested using multiple linear regression analyses. Results: The five factorial model of ‘potentially obesity-related stressors' resulted in a total variance explanation of adjusted R² = 0.616 for males and adjusted R² = 0.595 for females for perceived stress. The relative variance contribution of the five included factors differed substantially for the two sexes. Conclusion: The findings of this cross-sectional study support the hypothesized, potentially obesity-related factors: ‘drive for thinness', ‘impulse regulation', ‘ineffectiveness', ‘social insecurity', and ‘body dissatisfaction' as relevant determinants of perceived stress in individuals with obesity.

Perceived Stress Mediates the Relationship of Body Image and Depressive Symptoms in Individuals With Obesity

“…In early literature, it was assumed that obese people might be unaware of their excess body weight and therefore don’t take countermeasures to normalize it (12). The current view is that obese people are more frequently dissatisfied with their bodies compared to normal-weight people, this difference being significantly higher in women compared to men (13) and body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness affect perceived stress in individuals with obesity (14). Reasons for higher body dissatisfaction in obesity are speculative but may originate from sociocultural factors such as current body ideals, stigmatization, or teasing by others (13).…”

“…A possible explanation for these findings can be increased cortisol levels due to physiological stress reactions that may lead to the selection of more calorie-dense foods and therefore increase food intake (23). Perceived stress can therefore be seen as a barrier for successful weight management in obesity, potentially contributing to further weight gain (14). It seems at hand that an association between perceived stress and body image is likely and has been shown for body dissatisfaction and perceived stress in a large sample of adolescent girls (24).…”

Eight Weeks of Lifestyle Change: What are the Effects of the Healthy Lifestyle Community Programme (Cohort 1) on Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) and Perceived Stress?

“…Junne et al (2017) suggest, that PS is determined by a feeling of ineffectiveness, among others, and found self-monitoring of behavioural outcome to significantly improve this ‘ineffectiveness’. 85 This may thereby have contributed to the PS lowering effect of being int the CG. Moreover, Whitehead and Blaxton (2021) indicate that, on a daily basis, better perceived health is linked to lower PSL.…”

“…Junne et al (2017) suggest, that PS is determined by a feeling of ineffectiveness, among others, and found self-monitoring of behavioural outcome to significantly improve this 'ineffectiveness'. 85 This may thereby have…”

Psychotherapie bei Adipositas

“…Die sich häufig selbstverstärkenden Wechselwirkungen zwischen Stress und Adipositas können ein komplexes Krankheitsbild begünstigen [48]. Eine höhere psychische Belastung und soziale Stressoren wirken sich wiederum ungünstig auf das Gewicht aus.…”