["Consolatory eating" is not a myth. Stress-induced increased cortisol levels result in leptin-resistant obesity].

Recent studies indicate that stress induces increased food intake only when stress is followed by a neuroendocrine reaction with increased cortisol concentrations. The stress of modern society may contribute to the current epidemic of abdominal obesity, which is characterised by increases in cortisol and leptin concentrations. This is a condition which carries a great risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and stroke.