High cortisol responses identify propensity for obesity that is linked to thermogenesis in skeletal muscle.Subjects characterized as cortisol high responders (HRs) consume more calories after stress, but it is unknown whether cortisol responsiveness predicts a propensity for obesity.  Postprandial thermogenesis in muscle temperature was 0.8 ± 0.08°C higher in the LRs than in the HRs (P<0.01), whereas feeding-induced changes in fat temperature were similar.  We conclude that predisposition to obesity can be predicted by cortisol responsiveness to an ACTH challenge and that the response is due to innate differences in muscle thermogenesis.
THERM