Stubborn Belly Fat? Doctor Reveals Cortisol's Impact and 5 Ways to Improve It

(CNA, Reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, July 2nd) Despite slender limbs, a protruding belly plagued a woman in her 30s who struggled to slim her waist despite strict dieting and intense exercise. A doctor pointed out that abdominal fat is particularly sensitive to the stress hormone cortisol. Excessive dieting can actually increase stress. He recommends five strategies involving diet, sleep, and exercise to improve the condition.

Despite diligent dieting and exercising five days a week, her waistline remained stubbornly unchanged. Dr. Chou Chien-an, a specialist in endocrinology and weight management, shared in a recent press release about a woman in her 30s who, in pursuit of her ideal figure, deliberately ate less and engaged in high-intensity exercise. This, however, led to autonomic nervous system dysfunction and sleep disorders. Tests revealed her insulin resistance was high, accompanied by abnormal inflammatory markers.

Dr. Chou explained that the cause of a "stress belly" lies in the stress hormone, cortisol. Research indicates that the density of "glucocorticoid receptors" (GR) on visceral fat cells in the abdomen is higher, making them extremely sensitive to cortisol signals. Furthermore, specific enzymes in visceral fat further increase local cortisol activity, causing fat to accumulate more easily in the waist and abdomen, making the belly a "VIP zone" for cortisol.

In addition to physiological mechanisms, stress can stimulate appetite, leading to cravings for high-sugar, high-fat "comfort foods" like sweets and fried items, while simultaneously reducing the body's ability to regulate satiety and blood sugar. In other words, Dr. Chou stated, stress not only makes people eat more but also makes fat more likely to be stored in the waist and abdomen. This is why for many people, the first place they gain weight is not their limbs, but their belly.

Dr. Chou recommends five strategies to avoid stress-induced obesity: "Avoid overeating," "Improve sleep quality," "Reduce high-sugar, high-fat diets, especially when stressed and prone to binge eating," "Increase exercise while ensuring adequate rest," and "Adequately supplement nutrients such as magnesium, B vitamins, tryptophan, and GABA."

Dr. Chou reminds readers that if their waistline continues to increase despite not eating much, especially if accompanied by poor sleep, fatigue, cravings, or post-meal drowsiness, it may be related to hormonal and metabolic imbalances. Professional medical assistance should be sought rather than blindly pursuing weight loss. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150702

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