MENTAL HEALTH, ANXIETY AND WEIGHT GAIN: RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHRONIC STRESS, CORTISOL AND METABOLIC CHANGES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66104/jjqhpw54Keywords:
Estresse crônico, Cortisol, Ganho de peso, Ansiedade, Metabolismo, Eixo HHA, Saúde mentalAbstract
Chronic stress represents one of the main contemporary public health challenges, with profound implications for human metabolism. Cortisol, the central hormone of the stress response, when chronically elevated, promotes significant metabolic changes that culminate in weight gain, especially in the abdominal region. This systematic review article investigated the relationships between mental health, anxiety, chronic stress, hypercortisolemia and metabolic changes, focusing on weight gain as a relevant clinical outcome. Studies published between 2020 and 2025 were analyzed, selected from PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs and Cochrane Library databases. The results demonstrate that persistent activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis induces insulin resistance, redistribution of body fat, sleep disruption, dysfunctional eating behavior and low-grade systemic inflammation. Additionally, anxiety and depression, frequently comorbid with chronic stress, potentiate these mechanisms through neuroendocrine and behavioral pathways. The findings reinforce the need for integrated approaches between mental health and metabolic medicine, with therapeutic interventions that simultaneously address stress management and prevention of weight gain.Downloads
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Copyright (c) 2026 Vagner Marins Barcelos, Josely Ferreira Ribeiro, Wagner Luiz Ferreira Lima, Enoghalliton de Abreu Arruda, Suedem Alceno Medeiros, Mateus Henrique Dias Guimarães, Jandervam Figueiredo Régis Júnior, Marcelo Wanderley de Sousa Alves, Ronan Sales Farias, Ana Victoria Gomes de Mello Amorim
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