Evidence mapPaperPMID 39623561Full record

ReviewClinical obesity2025

Glucocorticoids and HPA axis regulation in the stress-obesity connection: A comprehensive overview of biological, physiological and behavioural dimensions.

Robin Lengton, Myrte Schoenmakers, Brenda W J H Penninx, Mariëtte R Boon, Elisabeth F C van Rossum

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical obesity, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 42 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
42citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

42 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Robin LengtonDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5666-4824
Myrte SchoenmakersDepartment of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3458-162X
Brenda W J H PenninxDepartment of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7779-9672
Mariëtte R BoonDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3247-7538
Elisabeth F C van RossumDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0120-4913

Funding

Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 024.005.010Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 91716453
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Chronic stress, characterized by increased long-term exposure to the glucocorticoid hormone cortisol, is increasingly linked to obesity development. Still, various knowledge gaps persist, including on underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of the current review is to provide the latest insights on the connection between stress and obesity. We discuss three biological stress systems-the autonomic nervous system, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the immune system-and their link with obesity, with a particular focus on the HPA axis. The role of cortisol and its regulatory variations (including glucocorticoid rhythmicity and altered sensitivity) in adipose tissue biology and obesity development is discussed. Moreover, we highlight the physiological, affective, cognitive and behavioural dimensions of the stress response offering a deeper understanding of how stress contributes to obesity development and vice versa. Finally, stress as a treatment target for obesity is discussed. We conclude that the link between stress and obesity is complex and multifaceted, influenced by physiological, affective, cognitive and behavioural stress response mechanisms, which especially when chronically present, play a key role in the development of obesity and associated cardiometabolic diseases. This necessitates integrated approaches tailored to individual needs, including lifestyle modifications, behavioural interventions, psychosocial support and possible additional pharmacological interventions.

Indexed as

GlucocorticoidsHypothalamo-Hypophyseal SystemObesityPituitary-Adrenal SystemStress, PsychologicalHumansGlucocorticoidsObesityphysiologicalstressstress domainsstress systems

Identifiers

PMID39623561
PMCPMC11907100

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.