Fig. 5

Impact of psychosocial stress on appetite, metabolism and the food system. Stressed individuals experience increased appetite, and consume high-energy palatable foods to dampen the stress response, under the influence of complex metabolic pathways involving the hormone cortisol and other signalling molecules. Within the body, these metabolic responses are associated with poorer cardio-metabolic profile, including insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure and greater susceptibility to blood clots (hypercoagulation). Insulin resistance and sustained increases in appetite also lead to excess weight gain, leading to chronically increased food intake. However, there are also many broader changes in behaviour, including perturbed sleep patterns and lower levels of physical activity, as well as faster eating behaviour and reduced sociality around meals. The interaction between stress and appetite generates an overall increased demand for high-energy palatable products, which drives greater supply, thus increasing the availability of unhealthy foods