The role of combined modifiable lifestyle behaviors in the association between exposure to stressors and allostatic load: A systematic review of observational studies.

Raymond Vooi Khong Siew, Kirsten Nabe-Nielsen, Anne I Turner, Melissa Bujtor, Susan J Torres

Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022;138():105668

PMID: 35066347

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Exposure to stressors can evoke psychological, physiological, and behavioral stress responses, which may lead to the adoption of health-damaging behaviors that dysregulate multiple biological systems contributing to a high allostatic load. This review explored the role of combined modifiable lifestyle behaviors in the relationship between stressors and allostatic load among healthy adults.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in Medline Complete, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Embase databases up to September 2021. The PRISMA guidelines guided reporting and study quality was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Checklist.

RESULTS

Database searches identified 319 papers. Eight cross-sectional and two longitudinal studies met our inclusion criteria. Among the ten studies, combined modifiable lifestyle behaviors partly explained the association between exposure to stressors and elevated allostatic load in four cross-sectional and two longitudinal studies.

CONCLUSION

Some evidence suggests that combined modifiable lifestyle behaviors may help explain the relationship between stressors and an elevated allostatic load. Further longitudinal studies with mediation analyses would strengthen these findings and help to confirm the mechanistic role of combined modifiable lifestyle behaviors underlying the relationship between stress exposure and allostatic load.

Address: Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic, Australia; Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: [email protected].; Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark.; Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic, Australia.

DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105668

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Allostasis, Cross-Sectional Studies, Health Behavior, Humans, Life Style, Longitudinal Studies, Stress, Psychological