Self-Reported Stress is Not Associated with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Food-Cue Reactivity in Adults with Obesity

Background Previous studies have suggested that stress influences ingestive behavior in people with obesity. We hypothesized this may in part be influenced by heightened reactivity to food cues. Objective To examine the association between self‐reported levels of stress and brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) food‐cue reactivity (FCR). Methods Baseline data of 32 adults with obesity (age 19–65 yrs.; BMI 30–39.9kg/m 2 ) was used from a larger study. Subjects rated their self‐reported perceived stress level in relation to household and work environments using 1–5 Likert‐scales (part of a larger demographic, health & weight history form). The subjects underwent an fMRI scanning session while rating 240 images (120 food and 120 objects) presented in an event‐related paradigm. Household and work environment stress scores were combined, and the mean of those scores was used to create a composite stress score. Subjects were then divided into two groups based on their composite stress score, using the median as the cutoff. FMRI analyses were conducted using FSL, in a three‐level model, to compare food‐cue reactivity of high vs. low stress groups. In separate analyses we compared high stress and low stress group associations with the following pre‐hypothesized regions of interest: amygdala, hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, insula. Results FMRI analysis did not reveal any significant differences in FCR at the whole brain level or in pre‐hypothesize regions of interest. Conclusion While previous behavioral studies have suggested that stress influences ingestive behavior, we found no significant association of self‐reported stress with food‐cue reactivity in our sample of individuals with obesity. Therefore, our findings suggest that heightened food‐cue reactivity may not be a salient contributor to the previously noted relationship of stress to ingestion. However, further research is needed to more fully investigate the likely multidimensional contributors to this phenomenon. Support or Funding Information Funding: Nestle Health Science.