The stress response is evolutionarily conserved across vertebrates to maintain homeostasis, but in excess can be damaging for body functions. We review the most recent research from basic sciences and epidemiology linking stress to the development and progression of metabolic disorders across the life course. Findings from rodents demonstrate that stress can affect features of metabolic dysfunction, such as insulin resistance, glucose and lipid homeostasis, as well as fundamental ageing processes such as cellular senescence and telomere length shortening. In human studies, stressors in the home, workplace and neighbourhood are associated with accelerated biological ageing and metabolic and immune alterations, both directly as well as indirectly via behavioural risks, including low physical activity, sleep disturbances, and alcohol abuse. The likelihood of developing clinical conditions, such as diabetes and fatty liver disease is increased in individuals with adverse childhood experiences or long-term stress at work or in private life -often as part of disease trajectories associated with other stress-related disorders, such as mental health problems, cardiovascular disease and increased susceptibility to infections. Among people with a metabolic disorder, stress may worsen disease prognosis. As favourable modifications in stressors are associated with reductions in incidence of metabolic disorders, the therapeutic value of targeting stress in personalised medicine merits further investigation.