Relationship of anxiety to weight gain: The Doctors’ Guide For Those Struggling

It is known to many, that anxiety disorder is one of the most common in first-world countries. But is there a relationship between anxiety to weight gain?

Studies have been conducted that have shown a direct link between depression and weight gain. However, until a few years ago there were not many studies that could confirm the relationship between anxiety and weight gain.

Although anxiety and stress share symptomatology with depression, many factors made it difficult to claim that there was an equal relationship with depression. However, many people experienced it very often. Today we tell you the results of the studies that have been carried out and the results of these studies.

If you’re anxious and concerned about the relationship between weight gain and this mental disorder, read on to discover the most relevant information that has been discovered so far in medical studies. But first, you must know more about this disorder.

Relationship of anxiety to weight gain

Contents

What is the relationship between anxiety and weight gain?

There is a complex relationship between anxiety and weight gain, and it can work in different ways depending on the individual and the type of anxiety. Here are a few possibilities:

  1. Emotional Eating: Many people with anxiety turn to food for comfort, which can lead to emotional eating and overeating. This can cause weight gain over time, especially if unhealthy foods are chosen.
  2. Hormonal Changes: Anxiety can cause hormonal changes in the body, particularly an increase in cortisol, which is known as the “stress hormone.” High levels of cortisol can lead to weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area.
  3. Medications: Some medications used to treat anxiety, such as antidepressants, can cause weight gain as a side effect.
  4. Lifestyle Changes: People with anxiety may engage in less physical activity or have disrupted sleep patterns, both of which can contribute to weight gain.

It’s important to note that not everyone with anxiety will experience weight gain, and weight gain is not always a direct result of anxiety. If you are concerned about your weight or anxiety, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider who can help you develop a personalized plan for managing your symptoms.

Emotional Eating as a result of anxiety leading to weight gain

Emotional eating is a coping mechanism where individuals turn to food to regulate their emotions. Anxiety is a common trigger for emotional eating, as the feelings of stress and worry can be overwhelming and difficult to manage. When experiencing anxiety, individuals may seek comfort and distraction through food, which can lead to overeating and weight gain over time.

One way in which anxiety can lead to emotional eating is by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Anxiety can deplete levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and appetite. This can cause individuals to crave foods that are high in sugar or carbohydrates, as these foods can temporarily boost serotonin levels and provide a sense of comfort. However, this can lead to overeating and ultimately, weight gain.

Additionally, anxiety can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and negative body image. Individuals may feel self-conscious and insecure about their bodies, which can trigger emotional eating as a way to numb these feelings. However, this cycle can become self-perpetuating, as weight gain can further worsen body image and increase the likelihood of emotional eating.

To break the cycle of emotional eating, it is important for individuals to identify and address the underlying anxiety that is triggering the behavior. This may involve seeking professional help through therapy or medication, as well as developing healthy coping mechanisms such as exercise, mindfulness, and self-care. By addressing the root cause of emotional eating, individuals can break the cycle and develop a healthier relationship with food and their emotions.

How do I know if I have emotional eating due to anxiety?

Several signs may indicate emotional eating due to anxiety. Here are some things to look out for:

  1. Eating when not hungry: If you find yourself eating even when you’re not physically hungry, this could be a sign of emotional eating. Anxiety can trigger feelings of stress and discomfort that may lead you to seek comfort through food, even if you’re not hungry.
  2. Craving specific types of food: When experiencing anxiety, many people crave foods that are high in sugar, salt, or fat. If you find yourself constantly craving these types of foods, even when you’re not physically hungry, this could be a sign of emotional eating.
  3. Eating to numb emotions: Emotional eating often involves using food to numb difficult emotions such as anxiety, sadness, or stress. If you find yourself reaching for food as a way to cope with these emotions, this could be a sign of emotional eating.
  4. Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating: Many people who struggle with emotional eating feel guilty or ashamed after overeating. If you find yourself feeling this way regularly, it may be a sign that you are using food to cope with your emotions.

If you suspect you may be struggling with emotional eating, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health professional. They can help you identify the underlying causes of your emotional eating and develop a personalized plan to manage your symptoms.

Hormonal Changes from anxiety that leads to weight gain

Anxiety can cause hormonal changes in the body that can contribute to weight gain over time. The main hormones that are affected by anxiety are cortisol, which is often referred to as the “stress hormone” and serotonin.

Cortisol

When the body experiences stress or anxiety, cortisol levels increase as part of the body’s natural response to perceived threats. While this response is helpful in short-term situations, prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels can have negative effects on the body, including weight gain.

Here’s how anxiety-related hormonal changes can lead to weight gain:

  1. Increased Appetite: Cortisol can increase appetite and cravings, especially for high-calorie, high-fat, or sugary foods. This can lead to overeating and weight gain, particularly if unhealthy foods are chosen.
  2. Fat Storage: Cortisol can also increase the storage of fat in the body, particularly around the abdominal area. This can lead to a higher risk of obesity and related health problems.
  3. Insulin Resistance: High cortisol levels can lead to insulin resistance, which can make it more difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar levels. This can lead to an increased risk of diabetes and weight gain.
  4. Disrupted Sleep: Anxiety can also disrupt sleep patterns, which can affect the body’s hormonal balance. Poor sleep can increase cortisol levels and decrease levels of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and metabolism. This can lead to overeating and weight gain.

It’s important to note that not everyone with anxiety will experience hormonal changes that lead to weight gain. However, if you are concerned about your weight or anxiety, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider who can help you develop a personalized plan for managing your symptoms.

Serotonin

In addition to cortisol, serotonin also plays a role in weight gain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep. Low levels of serotonin are often associated with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. When serotonin levels are low, people may experience an increase in appetite, particularly for carbohydrates, as these foods can temporarily boost serotonin levels and provide a sense of comfort.

However, this can lead to overeating and weight gain over time. In addition, low levels of serotonin have also been linked to increased fat storage in the body, particularly in the abdominal area. This can contribute to a higher risk of obesity and related health problems.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant medication, are commonly used to treat anxiety and depression by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. However, some people who take SSRIs may experience weight gain as a side effect, possibly due to increased appetite and changes in metabolism.

It’s important to note that while serotonin does play a role in weight gain, it is just one factor among many that can contribute to weight issues. Weight gain is a complex issue that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. If you are concerned about your weight or anxiety, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider who can help you develop a personalized plan for managing your symptoms.

Anxiety medications that cause weight gain

There are several medications used to treat anxiety that can cause weight gain as a side effect. Some Effective antidepressants don’t cause weight gain. Here are a few examples of anxiety medications that cause weight gain:

  1. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): As mentioned earlier, SSRIs are commonly used to treat anxiety and depression by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. However, some people who take these medications may experience weight gain as a side effect. This may be due to increased appetite or changes in metabolism. Does Xanax Cause Weight Gain or Weight Loss?
  2. Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are a class of medications used to treat anxiety by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called GABA. Some benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam and alprazolam, may cause weight gain as a side effect.
  3. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): TCAs are an older class of antidepressant medications that are sometimes used to treat anxiety. However, these medications can also cause weight gain as a side effect.
  4. Antipsychotic medications: Antipsychotic medications are typically used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, but they may also be used to treat severe anxiety. However, many antipsychotics can cause significant weight gain as a side effect.

It’s important to note that not everyone who takes these medications will experience weight gain as a side effect, and some people may experience weight loss instead. However, if you are concerned about weight gain or other side effects of your medication, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider who can help you explore alternative treatment options or adjust your medication as needed.

Lifestyle changes from anxiety that cause weight gain

Anxiety can cause several lifestyle changes that can lead to weight gain over time. Here are a few examples:

  1. Emotional Eating: Anxiety can trigger emotional eating, which is the consumption of food in response to emotional rather than physical hunger. Emotional eating often involves eating high-calorie, high-fat, or sugary foods as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions. This can lead to overeating and weight gain.
  2. Reduced Physical Activity: Anxiety can also lead to a reduction in physical activity as people may avoid exercise or other activities that trigger anxiety or cause discomfort. This can lead to a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in body fat, which can contribute to weight gain.
  3. Poor Sleep: Anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to poor sleep quality and quantity. Poor sleep has been linked to an increased risk of weight gain and obesity. When people don’t get enough sleep, they may experience hormonal changes that increase appetite and cravings, leading to overeating and weight gain.
  4. Alcohol or Substance Abuse: Some people with anxiety may turn to alcohol or other substances as a way to cope with their symptoms. However, alcohol and many other substances are high in calories and can contribute to weight gain over time.

It’s important to note that not everyone with anxiety will experience lifestyle changes that lead to weight gain. However, if you are concerned about your weight or anxiety, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider who can help you develop a personalized plan for managing your symptoms, including any lifestyle changes that may be contributing to weight gain.

How anxiety-related weight gain is caused

Anxiety and stress could also cause weight gain. And here are some ways these two emotions can cause weight gain:

The increase in cortisol levels, as a result of anxiety, causes fat to build up in our stomach causing weight gain. So the longer we’re experiencing stress and anxiety, the more weight we can gain.

Digestion slows down (especially where we are most anxious) and over time, we might have weight gain due to stress or anxiety.

Anxiety often causes increased fatigue and lack of energy for almost all activities. Being listless and unsympathetic to do anything, our body doesn’t move regularly and we don’t burn calories, which also contributes to weight gain.

Some anxiety medications, antidepressants, and some anxiolytics can sometimes cause fatigue and this relates to further weight gain.

Finally, it is common for people who have continuous states of anxiety that seek to resort to food as a means to calm it down. Sometimes these impulses toward food are given to satisfy an emotional need or to mitigate mental noise. Eating, even when you’re not hungry, usually happens when people are anxious. If compulsive eating occurs frequently, the result may cause weight gain.

Lack of sleep. Some people, when they can’t sleep, decide to eat at night. This can lead to weight gain. On the other hand, not as you don’t burn the calories you eat, as it’s night and your body is inactive, this often leads to weight gain.

Does anxiety cause weight loss?

The answer to this question with all the details can be found here.  Anxiety can cause weight loss in some people. When people experience anxiety, their bodies may enter a “fight or flight” response, which can lead to several physiological changes, including an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. This response is designed to help people respond to immediate threats, but chronic anxiety can keep the body in a constant state of high arousal, which can lead to weight loss over time.

Here are a few ways that anxiety can lead to weight loss:

  1. Appetite Changes: Anxiety can cause changes in appetite, leading some people to eat less or skip meals. This can result in a calorie deficit, which can lead to weight loss over time.
  2. Increased Metabolism: Anxiety can also increase metabolism, which is the rate at which the body burns calories. In some people, this increased metabolic rate can lead to weight loss.
  3. Gastrointestinal Distress: Anxiety can cause gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, which can lead to weight loss over time.
  4. Increased Physical Activity: In some cases, anxiety can lead to increased physical activity as people may engage in activities such as pacing or fidgeting as a way to cope with their symptoms. This increased physical activity can lead to weight loss over time.

It’s important to note that not everyone with anxiety will experience weight loss, and some people may gain weight due to anxiety-related changes in appetite or lifestyle. If you are experiencing unexplained weight loss or are concerned about your weight or anxiety, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider who can help you identify the underlying causes and develop a personalized plan for managing your symptoms.

Ways to avoid anxiety and weight gain

Learn to identify the signs

You must learn to identify the signs of anxiety so that you can identify when it’s happening to you. It may be hard because it has been happening for so long and you might not even realize when it’s happening. But, if you start paying attention to your body and how it feels, you will be able to tell when anxiety is coming.

When you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or sad, it might be because your stomach and intestines are in knots. This will cause you to feel full very quickly and not want to eat more. It may take a while before you realize that this is happening.

The only way to identify these feelings is by noticing how your body reacts during those times. If your stomach feels tense, then you might be experiencing anxiety.

Don’t beat yourself up

Anxiety can be a difficult thing to manage, and it’s even more difficult when you start to feel the weight piling on. When you notice that your weight is changing, give yourself credit for all of the other things that you have done right.

For example, if you gained 10 pounds over 2 months because of an anxious mood or lack of sleep, remind yourself of all of the times when you exercised. If you still beat yourself up about it, then these feelings are going to continue in a downward spiral.

You will become either more anxious or depressed. So focus on what it was that you did right instead of focusing on what it was that you didn’t do right.

Be mindful of your emotions

Be mindful of your emotions to prevent anxiety weight gain

To avoid weight gain, you need to be mindful of your emotions. As we mentioned before, one of the symptoms of anxiety is increased cortisol levels. This hormone can cause your body to store fat in your stomach region and lead to weight gain.

But you don’t have to be anxious for this to happen. Stress, in general, can cause these changes. And it’s not just that something bad may happen down the line and you’re anticipating it; it’s something that you feel on a day-to-day basis as well.

If you are feeling stressed out all the time, then you might want to take some time for yourself and relax. Try meditation or playing a game with friends or family regularly.

The more mindful you are about your emotions, the less likely it is that those emotions will manifest themselves into anxiety and weight gain.

Take a break sometimes

Taking a break every now and then is a great way to help combat anxiety. Take some time for yourself so that you can recharge your mental and emotional batteries.

It is extremely important to take a break every once in a while. Taking a break can be as simple as taking a walk, going for a bike ride, or relaxing by the pool. Even if you only do it for 20 minutes, you’ll be able to clear your head and get some fresh air.

Not only that, but it will help you recharge too. With any luck, this will help you avoid anxiety and weight gain with time.

Stay active and nourished

One of the best ways to keep stress levels under control is to stay active and nourished. Staying active will help you avoid gaining weight. The key is to find an activity that is right for you.

For example, if you’re more of an outdoorsy person, try learning a new hiking trail or rock climbing. If you prefer staying inside, try taking up a new hobby like painting or knitting. You could also join a gym to work on your physical fitness.

Nourishment should also be considered when it comes to staying active and combating anxiety. Stay away from foods that are high in sugar and fat content and instead enjoy plenty of fruits and vegetables along with whole grains, lean protein sources, healthy fats, and dairy products.

Keep a food journal

One of the best ways to combat weight gain while dealing with anxiety is to keep a food journal. This will help you understand what foods trigger anxiety, which can lead to your gaining weight. You can then avoid those triggers and focus on healthy eating habits instead.

Keeping a food journal can be a helpful tool in preventing weight gain due to anxiety. Here are a few ways that a food journal can help:

  1. Awareness: Keeping a food journal can help you become more aware of what you’re eating and how much you’re eating. This can help you identify patterns in your eating habits and make changes to prevent overeating or consuming high-calorie foods.
  2. Accountability: By writing down everything you eat, you are holding yourself accountable for your food choices. This can help you make more mindful decisions about what you eat and prevent mindless snacking or emotional eating.
  3. Identifying Triggers: A food journal can also help you identify triggers for overeating or emotional eating. For example, you may notice that you tend to overeat when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. Once you identify these triggers, you can develop strategies for managing them without turning to food.
  4. Planning Ahead: Keeping a food journal can also help you plan your meals and snacks. This can help you make healthier food choices and prevent impulsive eating or unhealthy snacking.
  5. Tracking Progress: Finally, keeping a food journal can help you track your progress over time. By reviewing your journal regularly, you can see how your eating habits have changed and identify areas for improvement.

Overall, keeping a food journal can be a helpful tool for preventing weight gain due to anxiety by increasing awareness, accountability, and planning ahead. If you are struggling with anxiety-related weight gain, consider speaking with a healthcare provider who can help you develop a personalized plan for managing your symptoms, including dietary changes and other lifestyle modifications.

Drink more water

Drink more water. Drinking water is an easy way to avoid weight gain as it helps flush out toxins in your body and maintain a healthy weight. You can even add lemon or orange slices to help increase the flavor.

Drinking more water can be a helpful strategy for preventing weight gain due to anxiety. Here are a few ways that drinking more water can help:

  1. Hydration: Drinking enough water is essential for overall health and can help keep the body functioning properly. When the body is properly hydrated, it can better regulate appetite and digestion, which can prevent overeating and weight gain.
  2. Reducing Calorie Intake: Drinking water before meals can also help reduce calorie intake. Studies have shown that drinking water before a meal can help you feel fuller and eat fewer calories overall.
  3. Replacing High-Calorie Beverages: Drinking more water can also help replace high-calorie beverages, such as soda or juice. Many people consume a significant amount of calories from sugary drinks, which can contribute to weight gain over time.
  4. Promoting Healthy Habits: Drinking more water can also promote healthy habits and increase awareness of overall health. When people focus on drinking enough water, they may also be more likely to make other healthy choices, such as eating a balanced diet or getting regular exercise.
  5. Supporting Anxiety Management: Finally, drinking more water can support anxiety management. When people are dehydrated, they may experience symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, or difficulty concentrating, which can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. By staying properly hydrated, people can support their overall health and reduce the impact of anxiety on their daily lives.

Overall, drinking more water can be a helpful strategy for preventing weight gain due to anxiety by promoting hydration, reducing calorie intake, replacing high-calorie beverages, promoting healthy habits, and supporting anxiety management.

Sleeping well to avoid anxiety weight gain

How can I lower my cortisol to lose weight?

There are several ways to lower the cortisol level in your body so that you can lose weight. The solutions are meant to reduce stress and anxiety thus reducing cortisol production. They include:

  • Eating a whole-food, plant-based diet,
  • Addin supplements where needed
  • Taking deep breaths and using breathing therapy
  • Reduction of caffeine intake
  • Getting adequate sleep every day
  • Having regular exercises
  • Writing about your stress in a journal
  • Indulging in different hobbies that distract you from the stressing situations
  • Practicing gratitude
  • Spending time with loved ones.

Does Anxiety cause weight gain in the stomach?

The relationship between anxiety and weight gain is a complicated one. If you’re feeling anxious, there’s a good chance that you’ll start to feel more sluggish and less energetic than usual. The problem is that an anxious person might not even realize that they’re experiencing these side effects.

This is because they’re worried about other things as well. Increased cortisol levels, as the result of anxiety, cause fat to build up in the stomach and leads to an increase in weight. The longer that a person experiences stress and anxiety, the more weight he or she can potentially gain.

For example, they may be worried about their appearance and the scrutiny that others will be giving them. They may also be worried about how their friends and family will react to them gaining weight. As a result, they may be trying to avoid gaining weight at all costs.

Anxiety can cause weight gain in the stomach. Anyone who has experienced chronic stress knows how difficult it is to lose weight. This is because stress affects the production of cortisol, which can lead to increased fat accumulation in the stomach area and an increase in weight. Cortisol is a hormone that produces by the adrenal gland when a person experiences stress.

For example, they may be worried about their appearance and the scrutiny that others will be giving them. They may also be worried about how their friends and family will react to them gaining weight. As a result, they may be trying to avoid gaining weight at all costs. The good news is that you don’t need to be anything other than yourself in order to avoid anxiety and weight gain. Here are 3 ways that you can do that:

  • Eat healthy meals – You should make sure your meals for the day contain high amounts of protein and fiber so that your serotonin levels are stabilized and your cortisol levels stay low throughout the day (not just when you’re anxious).
  • Exercise – You should try exercising daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes because this releases endorphins which help combat anxiety as well as help with digestion and metabolism (both of which can lead to improved moods). If you’re not able to exercise regularly due to work or other obligations, try doing some light exercise for 10 minutes per day, up until you start feeling better overall.
  • Reduce your caffeine intake – Caffeine can lead to a lack of sleep which then exacerbates anxiety. The cycle between anxiety and weight gain is known and thus it is important to avoid instances that can increase anxiety.

How can I stop worrying about weight gain?

How can I stop worrying about weight gain?

Obesophobia, also called pocrescophobia, is the fear of gaining weight. You can avoid the fear by:

  • Eating regular meals at the same time each day
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Avoiding sugary or high-fat foods and junk foods
  • Having regular exercise such as walking, swimming, running, and others
  • Trying to avoid situations where other people’s opinions on skipping meals or talking about their weight can affect you.

Conclusion

The idea of gaining weight might make you recoil in horror, but the reality is that some weight gain is a symptom of being anxious. In other words, if you’re feeling anxious, there’s a good chance that you’ll start to feel more sluggish and less energetic than usual.

The problem is that an anxious person might not even realize they’re experiencing these side effects. This is because they’re worrying about other things as well.

For example, they may be worried about their appearance and the scrutiny that others will be giving them. They may also be worried about how their friends and family will react to them gaining weight. As a result, they may be trying to avoid gaining weight at all costs. The good news is that you don’t need to be anything other than you to avoid anxiety and weight gain.

FAQs

Can extreme stress cause weight gain?

Yes, cortisol, the “stress hormone,” is secreted, which causes an increase in appetite, a slowdown in metabolism, and fat build-up in the stomach. Extreme stress can cause weight gain. The stress hormone, cortisol, is secreted in response to extreme stress. This causes an increase in appetite, a slowdown in metabolism, and fat will build up in the stomach.

Does overthinking cause weight gain?

Yes, it increases cortisol levels. Anxiety is a mental disorder characterized by a person’s fear of certain situations or objects. The anxiety can be generalized or specific to a situation. These feelings may range from minor, such as feeling uneasy, to intense, such as panic attacks. For some people, it can cause them to overeat and gain weight or avoid eating at all in order to stay thin. Overthinking often causes weight gain because the worry leads to an increase in cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can lead to more fat around the stomach area than anywhere else on the body.

Dr. David Barlow

David is a well-known researcher and author in the anxiety disorders area with extensive research on their etiology, nature, and treatment. He started the site to share his real-life experiences on the management of anxiety disorders with successful diagnosis and treatment being his motivation to write or review the content on this site.