Research Café
“Reflections of a Research Community”
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Topic: Does stress add bite to appetite? Examining the role of stress reactivity in comfort food eating.
Who: Shannon McCoy, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychology
When: 4:00 p.m.
Where: University Club, Fogler Library
In the face of the growing epidemic of obesity facing the state of Maine, it is increasingly important to understand the complex processes that contribute to weight gain. One factor that likely contributes to weight gain is stress related eating. In her talk, Dr. McCoy will present recent experimental research examining the relationship between acute physiological and psychological stress reactivity and eating behavior, as well as, factors that may reduce the impact of stress on weight gain.
Shannon McCoy received her Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2003, and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. Her teaching interests are in the areas of social psychology, statistics, and methodology. Dr. McCoy’s research interests include social psychological study of the self, social identity, and social stigma.
