Research paper
Adam TC, Epel ES. Stress, eating and the reward system. Physiology & Behavior. 2007;91(4):449-458. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.04.011
Why we cite it
A foundational theoretical framework for understanding stress-driven eating. Adam and Epel's "Reward Based Stress Eating" model integrates three pathways that had previously been studied in isolation: HPA axis activation (cortisol alters appetite hormones), reward system sensitization (palatable foods become more rewarding under stress), and satiety signal disruption. The model's key insight is that these pathways interact synergistically — and that endogenous opioids released by both stress and palatable food intake **may** protect against stress effects, which the authors advance as a self-medication hypothesis rather than a demonstrated result. The paper also explains individual variation: restrained eaters (chronic dieters) are more vulnerable to stress-eating because their cognitive control over eating is more easily disrupted by stress. With >1,600 citations, this is one of the most influential papers in the stress-eating literature and the conceptual backbone of the project's stress-eating companions (079, 084, 114, 129, 167, 184, 256 and several in review).
DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.04.011 · PubMed 17543357 · Publisher