The persistent coexistence of stress and paediatric obesity involves interrelated psychophysiological mechanisms, which are believed to function as a vicious circle. Here, a key mechanistic role is assumed for stress responsiveness and eating behaviour. After a stress induction by the Trier Social Stress Test in youngsters (n = 137, 50.4% boys, 6-18 years), specifically those high in chronic stress level and overweight (partial η2 = 0.03-0.07) exhibited increased stress vulnerability (stronger relative salivary cortisol reactivity and weaker happiness recovery) and higher fat/sweet snack intake, compared to the normal-weight and low-stress reference group. Stress responsiveness seems to stimulate unhealthy and emotional eating, i.e., strong cortisol reactivity was linked to higher fat/sweet snack intake (β = 0.22) and weak autonomic system recovery was linked to high total and fat/sweet snack intake (β = 0.2-0.3). Additionally, stress responsiveness acted as a moderator. As a result, stress responsiveness and emotional eating might be targets to prevent stress-induced overweight.
Keywords: adolescents; cortisol reactivity; emotional eating; obesity; overweight; psychosocial stress; stress reactivity; stress responsiveness.