Psychology

Obesity

Computer science

Endocrinology

Theme (computing)

Internal medicine

Medicine

World Wide Web

Over the past decades, the number of people with obesity has increased dramatically worldwide. In particular, abdominal obesity is often complicated by metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, collectively grouped into the term metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS ultimately leads to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide (World Health Organization, 2012). An imbalance between energy (food) intake and energy expenditure is currently regarded as the major cause of obesity, with multiple contributing environmental and genetic factors. However, evidence is now mounting that cortisol is a key player in this pandemic. In pathological conditions such as Cushing's disease or use of high doses of exogenous glucocorticoids, increased glucocorticoid exposure can cause all components of MetS and ultimately CVD. It is known that glucocorticoids can (1) increase appetite with a preference for energy-dense food ("comfort food"), (2) cause a redistribution of ...

Obesity and cortisol: New perspectives on an old theme