Stress identified as key driver of unhealthy eating habits, studies suggest

Stressful life circumstances may disrupt communication between the brain and gut, increasing the likelihood of unhealthy food choices and raising the risk of obesity, two new studies suggest.

Researchers found that pressures linked to income, education and access to healthcare can destabilise the brain–gut–microbiome relationship. This disruption affects mood, decision-making and appetite control, often leading to cravings for high-calorie, energy-dense foods.

A second paper reported that more than one-third of adults with gut–brain disorders screened positive for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), a condition characterised by avoiding certain foods, limiting intake, or both.

Specialists are now urging routine screening for ARFID alongside integrated nutritional care. The findings appear in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Gastroenterology.

The link between stress and food consumption has long been recognised. In 2021, researchers in Australia and New Zealand monitored 137 adults and found that participants were more likely to crave and consume larger amounts of food, particularly unhealthy items, on days when they reported higher stress levels.

Previous work has also indicated that the gut microbiome may play a critical role in moderating stress responses, suggesting that dietary interventions could form part of future treatment strategies.

The new studies come amid rising concern over the scale of obesity in the United Kingdom. Official figures indicate that nearly two-thirds of adults in England are living with overweight, and more than one-quarter, equivalent to 14 million people, are living with obesity.

The health implications are significant. Obesity is estimated to cost the NHS more than £11 billion each year, with further billions lost to the wider economy in reduced productivity and benefits payments. Beyond the financial burden, obesity is associated with a range of serious medical conditions, from type 2 diabetes to cardiovascular disease.