Whenever I walk into the lab to have blood work done, there is a sign that reads
Unattended children will be given an expresso and a free puppy!
It makes me smile whenever I see it. Even though it’s only a small, handwritten sign, the message is loud and clear!
Your behavior has consequences!
So I wondered if we should have a warning for stress eating. After all, stress eating does cause bulges and makes people miserable.
And now, new research shows that as you gain weight, your brain shrinks! Yes, it’s true! Research at UCLA shows that brains of obese, elderly people looked 16 years older than their healthy counterparts. Brains of overweight people were the equivalent of 8 years older.
Most of the brain tissue is lost in the frontal and temporal lobes, the seat of memory and decision-making, which results in a heightened risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Here is yet another reason to stop stress eating, in addition to higher risks of cancer, diabetes and heart disease that go along with overweight conditions. Hang onto your brain cells – you may need them!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Really? Now THAT has my brain believing it wants to stay un-shrunk, thank-you-very-much.
I wonder what the percent of shrinkage is as per the proportion of weight-gain, or if the study even goes that deeply. Just wondering if it’s directly proportional or if you could put on say 5 or 10 lbs and still have the same size brain. Hmmn.
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Yes, Kids Do Say The Darndest Things =-.
Carol,
I loved the sign at the lab. I’m bet it sure it stops parents in their tracks:~)
That’s an interesting study, if not a bit scary. Is it reversible if you stop the stress eating? Hope so.
Because every once in awhile when I’m under stress, I have to have chocolate. My trick is to only buy one bar and it has to be the smallest I can find. If I can’t find a small bar and can only get a bag, the next day I have to give it away or, if I can’t, I toss it.
Fortunately, I don’t have to toss it very often, especially with chocolate, but there have been times when I’ve thrown a bag away. As wasteful as this may seem, I’ve learned not keep the temptation around because I WILL CREATE the stress so I can eat the rest of the chocolate:~)
My boyfriend, JC, hassles me when I end up throwing something away. Now, I can fight back by saying it’s worth the waste because I’m saving a few of my brain cells:~)
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Picture Story: Georgia Dog =-.
I pigged out so much yesterday and already eating cup-cakes today, more of boredom eating. Oh well — back to the trail tomorrow.
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Viral Mirth =-.