Obesity and stress: endocrine and social aspects of the problem in the modern Russian society

The purpose of the article is to consider stress as one of the etiological factors of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The review discusses both endocrine and social aspects of stress as a syndrome of adaptation to the current situation in Russian society. It is emphasized that lifestyle factors contributing to the growth of overweight are gaining popularity in the society, and the high incidence of obesity is directly related to the level, quality and lifestyle of a modern man. Constant nervous tension, negative emotions, fear in conditions of abundance of food directly contributes to obesity, which is associated with a large number of other serious diseases. Chronic hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and chronic hypersecretion of cortisol, if persistence is not a purely physiological condition. Endocrine mechanisms mediating the development of metabolic disorders on the background of chronic stress include activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, changes in eating behavior, hyper-production of glucagon and triglyceride accumulation in visceral fat depots. Processes and social changes occurring in modern society contribute to the construction of everyday socio-cultural environment characterized by increased stress. Chronic stress in combination with physical inactivity, the result of improper lifestyle of modern people, becomes an effective factor contributing to the spread among the population of Russia not only overweight, but also various forms of obesity. It is emphasized that at the state level there is an urgent need to adopt and implement effective programs and mechanisms to ensure the population meets modern requirements and environmental standards of healthy food, rationalization of food distribution among the population, the formation of a culture of food consumption, improving the quality of life of the population and the culture of a healthy lifestyle, teaching the population the correct stress-coping behavior.