Stress, High Fat, and Your Metabolism

You probably know that feeling depressed or stressed out can make you want to eat more. But for middle-aged women, there can be a double whammy. Researchers have found that eating a high-fat meal when really stressed can lower your metabolism. The women in the study, who were average age 53 with a history of depression, were asked to report stressful events. Most of them were arguments or difficulties at work or home. The experts concluded that eating high-fat foods while stressed could slow your metabolism and lead to a weight gain of close to 11 pounds per year. Don't eat high-fat food to ease stress. Find ways to change your reaction to stressful situations through exercise, meditation, activities you enjoy, and rest. For WebMD, I'm Dr. Michael Smith.