Article
Open Access
Volume 5 · Issue 2 · 2025
pp. 48–54
Perceived Stress Enhances Eating Disorders by Affecting Leptin, Ghrelin and Adiponectin Levels
Barış Köksal1, Emre Gerçeker2, Fatma Taneli3, Ömer Aydemir4, Raziye Yıldız5, Aylin Fatma Karataş6, Elmas Kasap7, Tahir Buran7, Hakan Yüceyar7
1
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Türkiye
2
Department of Gastroenterology, Gazi Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
3
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Türkiye
4
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Türkiye
5
Department of Biochemistry, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
6
Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Türkiye
7
Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Türkiye
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between stress and eating disorders in young adults, which may be the initial symptom or result of many diseases today.
Methods: SCOFF and PSS tests were applied to 313 women in order to assess eating disorders (ED) and stress disorder (SD). According to the results of the questionnaire tests, the participants were divided into subgroups according to their ED status and body mass index (BMI). Subgroups were compared to investigate the relationship between ED and SD. The effect of SD on adipocytokine levels was compared among the 4 subgroups.
Results: The ED rate was 46.6%, and the SD rate was 34.5%. The SD rate was observed to be higher in the ED(+) group when compared with the ED(-) group (54.1% vs. 17.4%, p<0.001). In all three groups (BMI<18.5 and ED(+), BMI>25 and ED(+), and 18.5≤BMI≤25 and ED(+)), SD risk was observed to be higher than in the 18.5≤BMI≤25 and ED(-) group (OR 8.56, 7.34, and 3.59; p=0.001, p=0.002, and p=0.012, respectively). Leptin levels were lower, and ghrelin and adiponectin levels were higher in the SD(+) subgroup compared with the SD(-) subgroup in the group with ED(+) and BMI<18.5. Leptin levels were higher, and ghrelin and adiponectin levels were lower in the SD(+) subgroup compared with the SD(-) subgroup in the group with ED(+) and BMI>25.
Conclusion: Perceived stress significantly influences leptin, ghrelin, and adiponectin levels and is associated with eat-ing disorders in young adults.
Methods: SCOFF and PSS tests were applied to 313 women in order to assess eating disorders (ED) and stress disorder (SD). According to the results of the questionnaire tests, the participants were divided into subgroups according to their ED status and body mass index (BMI). Subgroups were compared to investigate the relationship between ED and SD. The effect of SD on adipocytokine levels was compared among the 4 subgroups.
Results: The ED rate was 46.6%, and the SD rate was 34.5%. The SD rate was observed to be higher in the ED(+) group when compared with the ED(-) group (54.1% vs. 17.4%, p<0.001). In all three groups (BMI<18.5 and ED(+), BMI>25 and ED(+), and 18.5≤BMI≤25 and ED(+)), SD risk was observed to be higher than in the 18.5≤BMI≤25 and ED(-) group (OR 8.56, 7.34, and 3.59; p=0.001, p=0.002, and p=0.012, respectively). Leptin levels were lower, and ghrelin and adiponectin levels were higher in the SD(+) subgroup compared with the SD(-) subgroup in the group with ED(+) and BMI<18.5. Leptin levels were higher, and ghrelin and adiponectin levels were lower in the SD(+) subgroup compared with the SD(-) subgroup in the group with ED(+) and BMI>25.
Conclusion: Perceived stress significantly influences leptin, ghrelin, and adiponectin levels and is associated with eat-ing disorders in young adults.
Keywords: Adiponectin, Eating Disorders, Ghrelin, Leptin, Stress Disorder
