Updated May 3, 2023, 13:57 IST
Women with higher BMI experience emotional challenges in coping with action-oriented planning, leading to increased emotional overeating compared to men. Study also showed changes in certain brain regions linked to higher levels of compulsive eating. Findings indicate the necessity for a more personalized approach to treating obesity, accommodating one’s emotional state.
The study found that certain brain signals associated with obesity could be gender-specific, and that different factors can be responsible for weight gain in men and women. (Image from Pexels)
Women are more prone to experience emotional eating in comparison to men, revealed a study published in the Brain Communication journal. The study, which involved 183 men and women, found that certain brain signals associated with obesity could be gender-specific, and that different factors can be responsible for weight gain in men and women.
78 women and men whose BMI was considered overweight or obese and 105 men and women with lower BMIs were chosen for the study. Body mass index, which is determined by dividing a person’s height by weight, is used as a measure of body fat. Dr. Arpana Gupta, an assistant professor and the director of the University of California, Los Angeles’ Neuroimaging Core spearheaded the study. The areas of biological and environmental determinants of “stress-based diseases,” such as obesity, has been her field of research. In 2019, she received the Rome Foundation Research Award.
The study began with participants describing personality attributes, food addiction, sensitivity to headaches and dizziness, anxiety and depression symptoms, and childhood trauma and then undergoing three MRIs to survey the connectivity between different parts of the brain as well as its structure and functionality.
Read Full Article
Magnetic resonance imaging, MRI employs a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed body images. The findings indicate that there is a correlation between specific alterations in brain connectivity and a higher BMI in males and females. Ms. Gupta stated that their research revealed variances in multiple networks within the brain that are linked to early life stress, mental health, and sensory processing.
Women with high BMI showed changes in brain regions linked with higher anxiety levels
Females who had a high BMI demonstrated modifications in brain connectivity that are linked to higher anxiety levels and reduced resilience in comparison to males who were part of the same group. Ms. Gupta stated that specific modifications in certain brain regions, which react to food or food-related stimuli, were observed in connection to early life stress.
Women with a high BMI may experience challenges in integrating emotions with action-oriented goal planning, leading to increased emotional overeating, compared to men. The findings indicate the necessity for a more personalized approach to treating obesity, one that is individualized for each patient.
By acknowledging the unique challenges that women face when it comes to emotional eating, individuals can take steps to address this behavior and develop healthier habits. Seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional can also be beneficial for those struggling with emotional eating.
While women may be more prone to emotional eating than men, it is a behavior that affects individuals of all genders. By understanding the underlying factors that contribute to emotional eating, individuals can develop healthier coping mechanisms and improve their overall well-being.
