News Obesity May Be A Side Effect Of Ptsd In Women La Article

[ClairBear226]

Anthony makes a good point, and I'd like to see this get further study. Just because a bunch of nurses with PTSD become overweight, does not necessarily qualify cause and effect. Even if we've seen it in our own lives (and I have), the evidence is still anecdotal. If memory serves, for it to be considered valid, the results need to be duplicated a number of times. And if you can prove cause and effect, then there's the question of why? We can speculate all day long. Is it a matter of comfort eating ? A cortisol issue? A combination of factors? It's an idea that might prove to be sound, but it seems to be a way off from being much more than a theory. But heck. I'd love something to blame it on. ;)

I can say that this topic came up recently in a therapy session. I have yo yoed in my weight a good deal in my life. And you know what? When I'm at the thinner side of things, I find it most uncomfortable. I have a cute enough face, and I find myself being looked at more. For most people, this would be something they would enjoy about their weight loss. For me, it left me feeling very vulnerable. I don't do vulnerable. It could be, that I'm not the only one. The study in question followed nurses, who are primarily women. Could the answer be as simple as that? That weight can be a protective mechanism? If the subjects are primarily women, it may be that many of them have PTSD due to sexual assault. The article said it was seen as a correlation in women. What about combat vets with PTSD, who would likely be more men than the nurse group? Can the results be duplicated in men? Does the sex of the individual matter, or does it have something to do with the cause of their trauma? All things I'd like to see explored.

 

[Britt.f7]

The article said it may be, that signs are pointing to it happening in women. Not all women, nothing is like that. Even PTSD, though it is similar in each and everyone of us, has it's differences. Not all people effected with trauma are going to have PTSD anymore then all women will get fat in response to PTSD.

I do know that cortisol can effect the weight. Saw it when I lost my mom. I gained 20 pounds, and I was not eating during her illness or after her death. I didn't know that stress could do that. I blamed myself though I couldn't see what I was doing wrong.

I do find I use my weight as a protection against others and myself. Gives me something else to focus on.

I don't think this study means that they are stuck that way. Just that, so far, that is what they noticed. I think it is harder to lose weight, but I don't think it is impossible. I really think I have to work some of my major issues before that happens though.

I just thought it was an interesting article, and start. I don't have a problem that they are, at this time, only studying women as I happen to believe that women are an under studied group. But that is my bias.

 

[ClairBear226]

only studying women as I happen to believe that women are an under studied group. But that is my bias.

We agree on that one. That women with PTSD are an understudied group. Much emphasis is on military-related PTSD, and as many soldiers are men, PTSD in women and PTSD from other sources often seems forgotten at times. I'm actually a bit surprised to see a study focussing on nurses. I'd like to know, though, what their source of PTSD is. Might be sexual trauma. It could also be work related. The idea intrigues me, and I want more information.

 

[Britt.f7]

I'm hoping that we start hearing more about this since it is now out there. More sources, etc. I was surprised when I came across this and had to share it.

 

[ClairBear226]

I'd like to think so, but unfortunately, medical theories are a dime a dozen. They come and go faster than most people change their underwear. If you see anything more on it, would you post it here? One can hope that the subject will be delved into further, especially with the high incidence of obesity these days.

 

[Britt.f7]

True. Yes, if I see anything more, I'll post it.

 

[anthony]

I honestly see this as nothing more than how many obese women state it's all due to their thyroid. Whilst their thyroid may now be shot due to an effect of the obesity, if they lost the weight suddenly the thyroid isn't an issue. Just watch The Biggest Loser... most women on that show make the statement, yet they can all lose the weight when they eat correctly and exercise, suddenly their thyroid excuse is no more. It was laziness and eating poorly.

I have two sisters and a mother, all of whom are obese. All three have used the thyroid excuse, yet until recent years my mother didn't have an actual thyroid issue until the weight eventually won and caused one... only due to the weight. It was not the cause of the weight. The cause is piss poor eating. Chocolates and high fatty food, carbohydrate loaded food with zero exercise.

This is just another excuse. Is PTSD the cause for some women? No doubt... but is it a significant factor versus piss poor eating? This goes beyond women... as men and women with PTSD, 80% or more of, will also be diagnosed with depression. Depression is a leading cause of comfort eating. As another mentioned above, you have sexual assault victims who eat to be fat because they then believe it will make them less desirable to further rapists. Psychological versus physiological.

There are jobs where eating is more profound than other jobs. Nurses fall into the ability of being able to eat constantly, pick at food, due to their job role versus someone working in manufacturing who will normally only get set schedules to eat. Look at truck drivers, 90% or more are over-weight and obese because of their job function... sitting on their bum driving a truck. The most work they do is securing their load or changing a tyre if blown. Do we blame their obesity on PTSD if any had it? Or do we look at the job role with a bit more focus? Chefs... how many carry more weight / obesity due to constant taste testing of what they cook?

This is exactly why I cite, that from what I have read about this topic... it is very unscientific. They cannot link cortisol directly to this, and are trying to use it to put some scientific foundation within their argument. If you read more on cortisol, the data is very broad. It's like trying to bring the amygdala into the discussion... as that has been ruled out as a measure for PTSD because there are as many without change in their amygdala with PTSD as there are with change. It isn't close to a conclusive factor and only created more questions than answers. Cortisol is in the same boat.

They don't even know what PTSD really is yet... though all these studies attempt to conclude theoretical outcomes as though fact. I rarely read factual, scientifically credible data on PTSD aspects today. I mentioned once before about reading books on PTSD... in that you can literally pick one up every 5 years and the changes you will find with scientific evidence are slim to minor at best, and will majority mimic known information.

People are now trying to blame obesity on PTSD.... what next? PTSD is a problem with very known symptoms... and also very known associated disorders. The associated disorders have far more validity towards obesity than PTSD. Sure, one could argue would comorbid / associated disorders be present without PTSD, and the answer would probably be no, though then that comes back to trauma and its affect upon us, as that is what causes other symptoms. You can have all the symptoms, yet not have PTSD, and become obese for any of the reasons mentioned in this discussion, let alone many not mentioned.

If people want to use fact towards obesity, then there are three factors at play, which are metabolism, diet and daily exercise. Those three are the triangle of weight control.

I have yo-yo'd in weight since having PTSD, and it isn't the PTSD, but more the depression and my own laziness / being bored. I get bored, I eat. If I become depressed, I eat. If I get my arse up and go and exercise, actual sweating exercise, I also lose weight just as quickly. Metabolism slows with age, which is fact. You have to change your dietary intake and choices as you age to keep your metabolism going, along with more exercise to maintain weight. You WILL put on weight as you age without changing anything else, which is medically factual. Yes, there are those with genetics who do defy this, but the majority is very clearly ascertained and empirical.

Many people, including doctors, will state that walking will help you maintain weight. Whilst that is true, people go walking yet they exceed their daily calorie intake, if not double it, just because they don't count calories and thus they find with walking they often maintain / put on weight. Why? Because you aren't really burning a lot of calories by walking, you need to be speed walking to make your body activate and burn fat whilst creating muscle. Any personal trainer will simply say... if you aren't sweating, you aren't exercising. People need to think about that when doing their exercise and using any of the above as an excuse to convince themselves they're ticking all the boxes, yet still putting on weight.

There is a lot of empirical data on weight... and PTSD is far from evidenced. Depression... already factual. PTSD... clutching at straws.

 

[Britt.f7]

Yeah, I'd have to see more to believe it is 100%, but I would think it is a side effect, not an actual cause. Does that make sense? I do have hypo thyroid and I do believe it makes it harder to lose weight. My sister, who is skinny, now has hypo thyroid and she is gaining weight. I do not believe, however, that it is an excuse for me not to lose weight. Just as I don't believe getting older is not. Definitely having difficulties. I also have depression. None of it is an excuse for me to not lose weight. I think I got fat because my autoimmune system is completely out of whack and I had to stop exercising. Not my diet. Not to say I'm perfect, because I'm not. I'm also not an idiot who doesn't know what I eat. If anything I know all to well. Okay, sorry, getting defensive on the whole fat thing. Not your fault.

I just felt it an interesting article. Time will tell if there is any truth to it. I don't think the article is stating that just because you have PTSD you are going to get fat. Just that there is a higher chance, for whatever reasons that I don't quite know right now.

My mom was a nurse, and her eating habits were atrocious. Not saying that all nurses are, but they might want to redo the study with people who do not have an erratic food schedule.

 

[therisa]

Myself, I know my yo-yoing of my weight, is directly related to depression, having gone from being almost anorexic, to grossly overweight, which on my bodyframe, made me, look like the Goodyear blimp. Nothing, I have experienced with PTSD, like @anthony has said, has caused my weight gain. But I wonder, if the extreme level of stress, may have accelerated my daibetes, which runs genetically, through my maternal side of the family.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I don't see it as a definitive answer, rather stress CAN mess with your hormones, and incorrect hormone levels CAN cause weight gain. More of a wake up call, this is what you may be battling sort of thing.

I have binge eating issues and horrendous cravings. I can pack on 10 pounds in a week. I'm not pointing to PTSD as the sold cause, but I do believe it is a factor.

I'm now in medication that causes weight gain in some, so I'm even more mindful of what I weigh, and I'm attempting to lose more. I've spent all of my adult years overweight. I'm hoping to continue to lose now that I have a clearer picture of the role that stress plays.

Perhaps it would be better to say that stress factors into weight gain (in a variety of ways) rather than PTSD causes weight gain?

 

[GingerAli]

Yes solara I agree with you. I have to bow out now as this convo has become very triggering for me.

 

[nursenurse]

I don't want to get into an argument with those who have true conditions and reasons for weight gain.For the most part, any weight gain is based on the amount of food going in vs the amount of energy expended. The true percentage of people who can blame it on drugs or hormones is tiny, from what I understand. What PTSD can do is cause you to channel your emotions in different ways. Overeating or eating the wrong things could be coping mechanisms. Medications may slow down your metabolism a bit, but by far, it is generally what you put in your mouth vs what you exercise off that will cause a big weight gain.

Before blaming PTSD or thyroid or anything else, you need to keep an honest food diary. There are plenty of free sites that allow you to track your food intake. Do that for a month, weigh and measure everything. See how many calories are going in. I think most of us would be surprised with how much we are actually consuming, PTSD or not. There are not many folks out there who are consuming 1200-1500 calories/day who would be gaining weight ( that's what a lot of diets recommend for losing). Average woman requires about 2000 with moderate activity, give or take based on age when metabolism does decrease (sadly for me!!!).