After age 40, when those hormones begin to decline, fat preferentially heads inside the belly. As you age, cortisol works closely with the sex hormones, and it's difficult to tease out the exact contribution of each in influencing the belly-fat issue, she says. We are just putting together bits and pieces of the scientific puzzle. It's an impossible theory to prove completely in humans. Chrousos believes the theory is true, and he says it's continuing to be studied at NIH and at obesity centers around the country.
Many questions remain.
Plenty of stressed people don't develop the fat deep in the belly, Blackburn says, and some people who aren't stressed do develop it. Most people simply overeat and under exercise. Anyone gaining girth as observed by their inability to button their skirt or pants should be alerted to the need for more vigorous exercise and healthy eating. The best way to deal with this chronic, unrelenting stress is to exercise, take breaks, eat healthfully, meditate, pray or do whatever helps you relieve stress, Chrousos says. Peeke emphasizes the fact that middle-aged people can minimize weight gain by being more physically active and choosing the right foods.