GUMC Update

Stress-Obesity Link Story Makes News around the World

July 5, 2007

Research headed by Zofia Zukowska, Professor and Chair of the Physiology and Biophysics, demonstrated that mice on a high-sugar, high-fat diet who were also stressed gained vastly more weight in the belly than mice on a comparable diet with no stress. Furthermore, Dr. Zukowska and others were able to prove that Neuropeptide Y (NPY), can be used to increase the amount of fat in a localized area through an injection, and that a different injection can be used to melt fat. The implications of this research range from plastic surgery to potentially reversing obesity epidemic. News outlets all over the world reported on the story. A sampling:

Washington Post, Page A1: “Scientists reported yesterday that they have uncovered a biological switch by which stress can promote obesity, a discovery that could help explain the world's growing weight problem and lead to new ways to melt flab and manipulate fat for cosmetic purposes.”

Los Angeles Times, Page A11: “The fat on your belly may be there because of stress in your everyday life, and researchers think they may know how to get rid of it.”

Chicago Tribune: “Studies of mice and monkeys show that repeated stress — and a high-fat, high-sugar diet — release a hormone, neuropeptide Y, that causes a buildup of abdominal fat, researchers from Georgetown University reported Sunday.”

Associated Press: “Scientists say they have found a link between stress and obesity, which offers hope in treating the one-third of Americans who are overweight.”

Reuters: “Researchers have figured out how to remove fat from one part of the body and make it grow in another part - at least in mice.”

NBC News: “Ever notice how you gain more weight than you should when you're stressed? Scientists say it's not just the junk food you eat...your body may actually be working against you.”

ABC News: "We generally shy away from reporting animal studies…But we've been talking to Dr. Steve Baker of Georgetown University Medical Center for about a year now, and he bubbles with excitement about the work he's been doing. It's only in mice--there, I've said it--but he and his colleagues believe they've found a mechanism that controls the amount of fat in the body." [Zukowska, Baker and co-author Michael Johnson, professor of oncology, gathered at Hoya's to watch the broadcast of "World News Tonight"!] 

Fox News: "In the quest for a perfect body, what if humans were able to lose a little weight here, while gaining a little weight there?"

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia): “Worrying about being fat may make you even fatter. Chronic stress has a double effect on the body that can lead to obesity, according to Sydney scientists who have helped unravel how this occurs.”

Channel News Asia: “Ever dream of shifting around body fat to flatten your tummy and boost your bust all without surgery? Or maybe blocking that ample fat? According to an international study published Sunday, the fantasy could become reality.”

Copyright Georgetown University Medical Center 2007

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