Dyshomeostasis, obesity, addiction and chronic stress

Abstract

When eating control is overridden by hedonic reward, a condition of obesity dyshomeostasis occurs. Appetitive hedonic reward is a natural response to an obesogenic environment containing endemic stress and easily accessible and palatable high-energy foods and beverages. Obesity dyshomeostasis is mediated by the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The ghrelin axis provides the perfect signalling system for feeding dyshomeostasis, affect control and hedonic reward. Dyshomeostasis plays a central role in obesity causation, the addictions and chronic conditions and in persons with diverse bodies. Prevention and treatment efforts that target sources of dyshomeostasis provide ways of reducing adiposity, ameliorating the health impacts of addiction and raising the quality of life in people suffering from chronic stress.

The interface between psychology and spirituality in palliative care

“…A definition of health includes not only physical, cultural, psychosocial and economic needs but also spiritual needs and not simply the absence of illness (Marks et al, 2015). Existential well-being has been considered a strong predictor of health-related quality of life (Lawler-Row and Elliott, 2009), and for many people, spiritual experiences are a source of great meaning to their lives, thus encouraging engagement in health-promoting behaviours and avoiding health-risking behaviour (Marks, 2016; Piko and Brassai, 2016). However, spiritual beliefs and experiences are far from universal (Marks, 2016).…”

“…Existential well-being has been considered a strong predictor of health-related quality of life (Lawler-Row and Elliott, 2009), and for many people, spiritual experiences are a source of great meaning to their lives, thus encouraging engagement in health-promoting behaviours and avoiding health-risking behaviour (Marks, 2016; Piko and Brassai, 2016). However, spiritual beliefs and experiences are far from universal (Marks, 2016). According to the Meaning-Making Model (Park, 2013), the degree of discrepancy between the perception of one’s illness from one’s global beliefs, such as identity, health and global goals, determines the extent to which the illness is distressing.…”

Global meaning in people with stroke: Content and changes

“…Both Park (2010Park ( , 2013 and Frankl (1992) are important sources for research on meaning. However, Park does not refer to Frankl in her meaning-making model, which has been critiqued by Marks (2016). More research on global meaning, specifically attitude and inner posture, and their relationship to meaning-making processes is recommended.…”

Chronic stress and body composition disorders: implications for health and disease

“…1 The impact of stress on hydration causes changes in eating behavior [2,66,67]. When perceived or real chronic stressors are present, eating control is lost due to the hedonic reward of eating as a counter-maladaptation to the dysphoria of stress [66,68].…”