ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes some of the recent literature exploring the effects of stress and cortisol on the eating behaviour of children and adolescents, then touches upon moderators of these effects, and offers suggestions for future directions of research. However, first it is important to consider the stress response. In addition to the general effects of cortisol on eating behaviour, there is growing evidence to suggest that individual differences in cortisol reactivity to stress may also increase vulnerability to stress-induced eating. Individual differences models of stress predict that groups reflecting different levels of vulnerability will differ in their eating behaviour when stressed. Before drawing some general conclusions about the effects of stress and cortisol on eating behaviour, it is important to acknowledge that there is some controversy around the relationship between stress/negative emotions and eating behaviour. Finally, it is important for obesity prevention programmes in children and adolescents to include a stress-management module in their multifaceted interventions.
