Consumption of foods high in fat and sugar enhance

cortisol secretion in response to stress, which improves our ability to ‘cope’

with stressful situations.

Exposure to stress leads to an increase in the

secretion of ghrelin, promoting consumption of calorically dense foods.

During chronic stress, cortisol negative feedback on

the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis is enhanced, causing increased feeding.

Individuals increase consumption of foods high in fat and sugar in response to an acute stressor.