scholarly journals Relationship Between Salivary Cortisol, Self-Assessed Stress Levels, and Body Mass Index in High Achieving High School Adolescents

Elements ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Samir

Studies of stress and cortisol levels in adults indicate that keeping normal levels of cortisol is beneficial to subjects. The hormone cortisol has many functions including proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, immune function, and inflammatory  response. When cortisol levels spike, as with stress, there can be a negative effect on the individual. Due to the hectic pace of modern life, the body’s stress response does not always have time to return to normal, leading to cortisol levels remaining too high. This can lead to suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity, and increased abdominal fat. Stress plays a prominent role in the lives of millions of people all across the globe. This problem is not one that affects solely the adult population but also a multitude of adolescents and children. Oftentimes, stress can have both a physical and psychological effect on an individual. Many persons report an effect on food consumption when under stressful situations, causing one to either eat more or less than normal. In turn, these eating patterns can potentially influence the Body Mass Index (BMI) of an individual. While increased stress can lead to a higher or lower than normal cortisol level and BMI in adults, the role in adolescents is not entirely clear. This study investigated whether there is a relationship between stress and BMI in high-achieving adolescents, aged 14 to 18. The Perceived Stress Scale survey paired with additional questions that helped determine variables believed to impact stress levels were administered to determine overall stress levels in each subject. To determine cortisol levels, a competitive enzyme immunoassay was used.  This study indicates that there   are no significant correlations between perceived stress levels, salivary cortisol levels, and BMI in this group of individuals. However, a distinct difference in self-assessed stress levels was apparent between males and females. Somewhat unexpectedly, a negative relationship was found between BMI and salivary cortisol levels and perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 532-532
Author(s):  
Thomas Karanian ◽  
Courtney Campbell ◽  
Allison Sloan ◽  
Lydia Dupree ◽  
Brian Walker ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Stress can negatively impact lifestyle practices and metabolic health, thereby increasing an individual's risk for chronic disease. We investigated whether variability in salivary cortisol levels is associated with body composition, blood pressure, and diet quality. Methods In this ongoing study, adult men and women (18–70y, n = 17) participated in a fasted baseline health assessment to measure body composition and resting blood pressure. Dietary intake was assessed over a 5-day period, where saliva samples were collected in the morning, afternoon, and evening to measure cortisol levels. Degree of cortisol variability over the 5-day period was calculated as: the highest recorded cortisol measurement - the lowest recorded cortisol measurement, which was used to classify subjects into groups of high (n = 9) and low (n = 8) cortisol variability. Results Subjects with greater variability in salivary cortisol had higher cortisol levels on average, in addition to greater concentrations and variability in cortisol levels in the morning. High variability in cortisol levels was additionally associated with a higher body mass index and metabolic age, but was not associated with fat or fat-free mass, waist circumference, or blood pressure. Subjects with lower variability in salivary cortisol levels reported having a greater dietary intake of linoleic acid and manganese, as well as a trend toward greater intake of vitamin D. Greater variability in salivary cortisol levels positively correlated with the % of dietary calories coming from fat, total fructose, serine, fried potatoes, dairy-based desserts, sweetened coffee, and beer. Conclusions Our preliminary findings demonstrate that high variability in salivary cortisol is associated with elevated morning stress hormone levels, body mass index, and a less favorable dietary pattern. Funding Sources This study was funded by the Fairfield University College of Arts and Sciences and a Vincent Rosivach Collaborative Research Grant.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Angelo dos Santos DUARTE JUNIOR ◽  
Adroaldo Cezar Araujo GAYA ◽  
Vanilson Batista LEMES ◽  
Camila Felin FOCHESATTO ◽  
Caroline BRAND ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the multivariate relationships between eating habits, cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index, and cardiometabolic risk factors in children. Methods This is a cross-sectional study developed in a public elementary school with 60 first- to sixth-graders. Their eating habits were assessed using the Food Frequency Survey, weight, height, and cardiorespiratory fitness, assessed according to the Projeto Esporte Brasil protocol. Moreover, the variables, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, leptin, diastolic and systolic blood pressure were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and generalized estimation equations were used for the analysis of direct and indirect relations, in a multivariate analysis model with several simultaneous outcomes. Results It appears that the eating habits and cardiorespiratory fitness explain 20% of the body mass index. Cardiometabolic risk factors are explained by the relationship between eating habits, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body mass index, according to the following percentages: 29% (systolic blood pressure), 18% (diastolic blood pressure), 63% (leptin), 4% (adiponectin), 14% (C-reactive protein), 17% (insulin), 10% (high-density lipoprotein), 1% (low-density lipoprotein), 4% (glucose). It is also observed that the effects of the eating habits on cardiometabolic risk factors are indirect, that is, they are dependent on changes in the body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Conclusions The relationship between eating habits and cardiometabolic risk factors in children is dependent on cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index. Thus, our findings suggest a multivariate relationship between these factors.


2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 440-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biljana Beleslin ◽  
Jasmina Ciric ◽  
Milos Zarkovic ◽  
Zorana Penezic ◽  
Svetlana Vujovic ◽  
...  

Introduction Obesity is often accompanied by a number of complications including diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Elevated blood pressure and lipids, as well as deterioration of glucoregulation are attributed, as the most significant factors, to development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular complications in obese patients. Objective The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of a fasting diet on blood pressure, lipid profile and glucoregulatory parameters. Method We included 110 patients (33 male and 77 female; mean age 35?1 years, body weight 131.7?2.6 kg, body mass index 45.4?0.8 kg/m2) who were hospitalized for three weeks for the treatment of extreme obesity with the fasting diet. At the beginning, during, and at the end of this period, we evaluated changes in blood pressure, lipid profile, as well as parameters of glucoregulation including glycaemia, insulinaemia, and insulin sensitivity by HOMA. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in all patients at the beginning and at the end of the fasting diet. Results During the fasting diet, the body weight decreased from 131.7?2.6 kg to 117.7?2.4 kg (p<0.001), the body mass index decreased from 45.4?0.8 kg/m2 to 40.8?0.8 kg/m2 (p<0.001), and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly declined (143?2 vs. 132?2 mm Hg, p<0.001; 92?2 vs. 85?2 mm Hg, p<0.001). In addition, the fasting diet produced a significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, as well as basal glycaemia and insulinaemia (p<0.001) Before the fasting diet, OGTT was normal in 76% of patients, whereas 21% of patients showed glucose intolerance, and 4% of patients diabetes mellitus. After the fasting diet, OGTT was normal in 88% of patients, whereas 12% of patients still had signs of glucose intolerance (p<0.05). In addition, insulin resistance significantly (p<0.05) increased from 54?6% to 89?13% after the fasting diet. Conclusion The three-week fasting diet in extremely obese patients produced a significant decrease and normalization of blood pressure, decrease in lipids, and improvement in glucoregulation including the increase in insulin sensitivity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1436-1439
Author(s):  
Henry Afamuefuna Efobi ◽  
Iya Eze Bassey

Introduction: Hypertension is a long-term medical condition which when not detected and managed properly and on time often results to complications leading to disabilities and mortality. Gender has been known to affect the interpretation of some variables necessitating the need for gender-specific ranges. Objectives:This study evaluated total creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) isoenzyme activities of hypertensive subjects in Calabar, Nigeria and to assess if gender has influence on the activities of these enzymes. Methodology:One hundred and two participants were consecutively enrolled in this case control study. Serum total serum CK and CK-MB activity were evaluated in fifty one hypertensive and 51 normotensive subjects. The total CK levels were assessed using a spectrophotometric method while immunoinhibition method was used to determine the activity of CK-MB. Data was analyzed using Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results:The total creatine kinase activities of the hypertensives did not differ significantly from those of the normotensive controls (p = 0.428) while the serum CK-MB activities of the hypertensive subjects were significantly higher than those of the normotensive controls (p=0.000). The body mass index of the hypertensives was significantly higher than those of the normotensive subjects (p=0.030). Gender had no effect on the blood pressure, body mass index and levels of CK and CK-MB (p>0.05). There was also no significant correlation (p>0.05) between blood pressure, body mass index and the levels of CK and CK-MB. Conclusion:CK-MB activities were significantly higher in hypertensive subjects compared to normotensive controls. There were no gender specific differences in the CK-MB levels of male and female hypertensives. This cardiac marker should be included in the routine assessment of hypertensives and gender-specific considerations may not be necessary in the interpretation of the data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 203
Author(s):  
Bambang Edi Suwito ◽  
Viskasari P Kalanjati ◽  
Abdurachman Abdurachman

Specific ABO blood type was reported to the higher risk of having overweight and obesity. The laters had also been suggested to correlate to blood pressure. Here we studied blood type and blood pressure amongst seemingly healthy university students of IIKBW, Kediri to understand their correlations to the body mass index (BMI). The blood typing (ABO typing, Eryclone®) and blood pressure (automated digital sphygmomanometer) of 74 male and 76 female were measured in duplicate accordingly. The BMI was analysed from the student’s body weight and height using a digital balance and a microtoise staturemeter, respectively. Data were analysed using SPSS 17 with p<0.05 level of significance. There were 18.7% students have A blood type, 31.3% students were B type, 44% were O and 6.0% with AB blood type. There were 30.7% students with obesity, 18% overweight, 36% normal weight and 15.3% underweight. There were 4.7% had a hypertension, 28.7% pre-hypertension, and 66.7% were normal. No significant correlations found between BMI or the blood pressure to any specific ABO blood type, except between the blood pressure and the AB blood type (r=-0.179, p=0.03). However, there was a significant correlation between BMI and blood pressure (r=0.327, p=0.000). We observed no significant associations between any specific ABO blood type with the BMI and blood pressure. However, high blood pressures amongst students with obesity were found. Males were more common to suffer from obesity and high blood pressure than females.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-115
Author(s):  
Francinete Deyse Dos Santos ◽  
Edna Ferreira Pinto ◽  
Ana Regina Leão Ibiapina Moura ◽  
Eguinaldo Vinícius de Carvalho Lima ◽  
Mariana Ferreira de Souza ◽  
...  

Objectives: to analyze the blood pressure (BP) values ​​and responses to the Cold Pressor Test (CPT) according to the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Methods: 166 adolescents of both sexes participated in the study. Participants underwent measurements of body mass, height and waist circumference. BMI and WHtR were calculated. BP was measured before (pre-test), during (test) and after CPT (recovery). The groups were compared using a mixed ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc, and Odds Ratio calculation. The level of significance was p < 0.05. Results: prevalences of 16.9% of high BMI, 19.9% ​​of increased WHR and 8.4% of pretest BP were found above the recommended. Participants with high BMI had increased systolic BP compared to their normal peers (113.0 ± 11.4 vs. 121.7 ± 11.6 mmHg; p = 0.003). Adolescents with elevated WHR had higher pre-test and recovery systolic BP (pre-test: 113.2 ± 11.4 vs. 119.6 ± 12.7 mmHg; p = 0.021; recovery: 111.9 ± 14.1 vs. 117.4 ± 14.0 mmHg; p = 0.044). Finally, individuals with BMI and WHtR above the recommended had 2.1 (95% CI 0.62 - 7.36) and 2.5 (95% CI 0.77 - 7.91) times, respectively, more likely to have high pre-test BP values. Conclusion: adolescents with increased BMI and WHtR have higher BP values ​​compared to their normal peers.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1951
Author(s):  
Yi-Syuan Lin ◽  
Yu-Tang Tung ◽  
Yu-Chun Yen ◽  
Yi-Wen Chien

Perceived stress is the degree of stress experienced by an individual in the face of a stressor. Studies have shown that stress affects emotions, leads to behavioral changes, and is likely to trigger physical illnesses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stress is classified as a health epidemic of the 21st century; in the meantime, the percentage of adults being overweight and with obesity has continued to grow after reaching 38.9% in 2016. Hence, it is unclear whether perceived stress has become a factor affecting progressive obesity and whether food addiction (FA) is an intermediate factor. The purposes of this study were to (1) investigate the FA prevalence among young adults in Taiwan, (2) understand correlations among perceived stress, FA, and the body mass index (BMI), and (3) determine the potential mediating effect of FA due to perceived stress on BMI. The study was conducted through an online questionnaire, composed of a basic data form, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS). We received 1994 responses and analyzed 1780 valid samples. Results showed that 231 participants met the FA criteria, accounting for 12.98%. Perceived stress was positively correlated with BMI (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.013~0.088, p-value 7.8 × 10−3), and perceived stress was positively associated to FA (95% CI 1.099~1.154, p-value < 10−4), which was also positively correlated with BMI (95% CI 0.705~2.176, p-value 10−4). FA significantly mediated the relationship between PSS and BMI with an indirect effect size of 25.18% and 25.48% in the group that scored 31~40 on the PSS. The study concluded that among people seeking weight loss, proper stress management and screening for FA in order to apply related therapies may be an effective method for weight management.


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