When we experience physical, mental or emotional stress, our bodies produce cortisol. As part of the primitive “fight or flight” response, cortisol increases appetite so that you can eat and replace the carbohydrates and fat that should have been burned to get your body through the stressful event. Chronic stress keeps cortisol levels elevated and the appetite up.

If stress and cortisol levels stay high, insulin levels also increase, which may be one thing that leads to increased storage of body fat, particularly in the abdomen. This type of fat storage can elevate your risk for other health issues.