UAE | General
Dubai expats turn to food to cope with stress, says medic
Moving is a stressful event. But add that to a new country, new people, new social dynamics and new job, it can be a major stressor.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:01 August 14, 2008
Dubai: Moving is a stressful event. But add that to a new country, new people, new social dynamics and new job, it can be a major stressor.
And one way of coping with all that stress is by turning to food, or comfort foods to be exact.
Dr Fatma Al Attar, family physician and mental health coordinator for Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), told Gulf News emotional eating to cope with stress was a common phenomenon.
"Moving to any part of the world is stressful. To adjust to a new place, a new job, and new people, it will take time. Some don't have problems coping, but others will have adjustment disorder," she said.
"Some people cope with their friends and by getting active, but others go for foods - mostly carbohydrates," she added.
Studies have found that many people turn to comfort foods, high-energy and fatty foods, as a way to put a brake on chronic stress.
People engage in pleasure-seeking behaviours and indulging in that chocolate chip cookie, ice cream cone or beef shawarma is an easy, cheap and legal way to satisfy that need.
The danger is when the sugary, high-fat foods are available on every street corner and can even be delivered, people put on weight, which in turn can lead to a host of other diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Dr Fatma told Gulf News there was a physical factor in why people turn to unhealthy foods when stressed.
"When cortisone levels are high, it means chronic stress. And cravings for salty and sweet foods also go up," she said.
The recently discovered link between ghrelin, or hunger hormone, and stress is another.
"Studies on mice found that the body releases ghrelin when stressed. The hormone works as an anti-depressant and help lower anxiety," she said.
Authors of the study, conducted by US-based UT Southwestern Medical Centre and published online on Nature Neuroscience on June 24, 2008, concluded that increased ghrelin to cope with stress and anxiety could lead to overeating.
The study, although conducted on mice so far, is relevant as the hormonal structure of mice is similar to humans.
Dr Fatma also blamed social conditioning on why people have emotional attachment to unhealthy foods.
"Another problem is our childhood habits.
"When we reward kids, we reward them with sweet treats. Even doctors and dentists give lollipops and sweets to make children feel comfortable.
"It's ingrained in the subconscious that it is the most pleasurable time in childhood, so when they grow up, they reward themselves or make themselves feel better with sweets," she said.
She added coming to a culture such as in the UAE, where food acts as a social grease to ease interaction, did not help matters.
Bur finding other, more healthy ways to deal with stress is not so easy when one is a newcomer in the UAE, with no knowledge of places to go, workout or relax.
Dr Fatma said there were many ways people could relax and de-stress on their own.
"People should learn how to relax, like doing some deep breathing, while closing your eyes and listening to soft music. You can also use some aromatic candles or take a warm bath," she said.
Other methods include meditating, praying and exercising at home.
"Exercising release endorphins, the happiness hormone, which will help relaxation, induce happiness. Go swimming if the apartment building has pool or buy a yoga or exercise DVD and use it at home," she said. "Some people cope with their friends and by getting active, but others go for foods."
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