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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." - Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic. Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's Web sites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the Web site) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
Stress basics (4)
- Chronic stress: Can it cause depression?
- Stress and hair loss: Are they related?
- Normal stress vs. adjustment disorder: What's the difference?
- see all in Stress basics
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Question
Stress: How do you control weight gain?
How do I control stress-induced weight gain?
Answer
from Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
When you're under stress, you may find it harder to keep up healthy-eating habits. Also, during particularly stressful times, you may eat in an attempt to fulfill emotional needs, which is sometimes called stress eating. And you may be especially likely to eat high-calorie foods during times of stress, even when you're not hungry.
To combat weight problems during stress and reduce the risk of obesity, you need to get a handle on your stress. When you feel less stressed and more in control of your life, you may find it easier to stick to healthy-eating and exercise habits. Try these stress management techniques to combat stress-related weight gain:
- Recognize the warning signs of stress, such as anxiety, irritability and muscle tension.
- Before eating, ask yourself why you're eating — are you truly hungry or do you feel stressed or anxious?
- If you're tempted to eat when you're not hungry, find a distraction.
- Don't skip meals, especially breakfast.
- Identify comfort foods and keep them out of your house or office.
- Keep a record of your behavior and eating habits so that you can look for patterns and connections — and then overcome them.
- Learn problem-solving skills so that you can anticipate challenges and cope with setbacks.
- Practice relaxation skills, such as yoga, massage or meditation.
- Engage in regular physical activity or exercise.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Get encouragement from supportive friends and family.
If you try stress management techniques on your own but they don't seem to be working, consider seeking professional help through psychotherapy or counseling.
Next questionChronic stress: Can it cause depression?
- Listening to the warning signs of stress. American Psychological Association. http://apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=184. Accessed May 4. 2009.
- Dimsdale JE, et al. Stress and psychiatry. In: Sadock BJ, et al. Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005:2180.
- Stress and your health. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/stress-your-health.cfm. Accessed May 7, 2009.
- Chang M, et al. Motivators and barriers to healthful eating and physical activity among low-income overweight and obese mothers. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2008;108:1023.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Healthy lifestyle changes for weight reduction. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2009.
- Bray GA, et al. Behavioral strategies in the treatment of obesity. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 5, 2009.
- March V, et al. Diet and stress: Psychiatric. In: Fink G, et al. Encyclopedia of Stress. 2nd ed. San Diego: Academic Press; 2007:806.
