How Obesity and Malnutrition Complicate Anxiety

To worry about future events and to be filled with feelings of apprehension are sometimes grounded in reality. Worrying for the safety of the children, for financial security and stability, and for the health of every member of the family is normal. However, there are cases where these feelings of dread and terror seem to overrule the lives of some people. These excessive worries and fears severely diminish the quality of their lives.

With fantasized fears and exaggerated worries overriding everything that is sensible, some mentally and emotionally compromised people will often indulge in food to seek solace and comfort. These overindulging in unrefined sugars and junk foods to sustain the body and cope with the stress that life brings can lead to problems such as obesity. While some overindulge, others push their plates aside and neglect sustenance. This withdrawal from taking proper and adequate nutrition can lead to problems, for example, malnourishment.

Obesity

When stress hits, the body’s autonomic defense system is activated. Several pathways are triggered in order to handle the hit. One factor triggered in defense against stress is cortisol. Cortisol functions to regulate and mobilize energy for the body’s use. It stimulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to be used as energy for the body. It also sets off the release of insulin into the blood to regulate blood sugar levels. In order to maintain these energy and insulin levels, the body needs to be nourished.

But with chronic stress, excess cortisol is secreted. High amounts of this hormone can cause excess-circulating fat to be deposited into the abdomen. When this is left unchecked, this will lead to obesity. This obesity can cause additional medical problems such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus that will aggravate and complicate anxiety symptoms.

An increased and unmanaged blood pressure can cause the heart to work and pump harder. With more stress placed on the heart, palpitations will be experienced. This increased pounding by the heart can be recognized by the brain as a threat. This will activate the flight and fight response and all the accompanying anxiety effects and symptoms will be experienced.

Since cortisol can also act as an anti-inflammatory agent, it suppresses the body’s immune system during periods of high physical and psychological stress. Cortisol does this to prevent the immune system from overshooting, attacking its own cells and tissues, and leading to autoimmune diseases. With a suppressed immunity, the body will be more susceptible and vulnerable to illnesses and infirmities. When the body contacts sickness, this will add to the stress the body is already bearing with. The anxiety cycle is again set off.

Malnutrition

As mentioned above, cortisol is released when stress is experienced. With the release of this stress hormone, craving for food is amplified, turning an anxious person into a voracious eater. This is to restore the lost energies used to keep up with the demands and pressures the body has to bear. However, the release of cortisol has another effect, an opposite one. For some people, it causes a decrease or loss in appetite.

With the release of stress hormones, the stomach increases its acid production. And when chronic stress is experienced, more of these acids are produced. This excessive production causes a low-grade nausea, creating the feeling of fullness in the stomach. When they feel full, anxiety sufferers take in little to no nourishment.

In addition to this, the tightness in the neck muscles surrounding the throat causes problems in swallowing. This impairment in the swallowing reflex further firms the resolve of these anxious individuals not to eat. When this resolution to not eat lasts for weeks or months, they become emaciated or malnourished.

With no food to fuel the body and replace lost energies, malnutrition sinks in and causes impairment in the smooth and proper functions of the organs. Cardiac, respiratory, and immune functions deteriorate. Furthermore, the lack of essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements affects the ability to fight off stress. Thus, malnutrition further leads to anxiety, depression, irritability and reduced mental concentration.

Conclusion

When stress is long-drawn-out and the situation seen as hopeless, anxiety sufferers become even more distressed and defeated. Their ability to recover from the stress and anxiety they are experiencing becomes even more impossible when another infirmity plagues them. The possibility of developing hypertension, heart diseases, stroke, or diabetes mellitus is increased when they over eat. On the other hand, the possibility of contracting infections also increase if they under eat.

To prevent these complications from surfacing, stressed individuals must engage in a stress management program. Practicing meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization methods are effective counterattacks to stress and anxiety punches. Engaging in “mindful” exercises such as yoga is beneficial, too. But most importantly, eating the right kind and amount of foods will help prevent anxiety, obesity or malnutrition.

Ryan Rivera had struggled from anxiety and panic attacks for 7 years. After his recovery, he decided to help other people through his website, www.calmclinic.com, which contains comprehensive information about anxiety and other mental health issues.