Is the Kids' Music Making You Fat?

Finally, there's a better reason than "because" to ask your kids -- or your neighbors -- to "turn it down." Loud, unpredictable bursts of sound can stress you so much that your heart races and your appetite soars.

In one study, men and women were asked to do math problems and brainteasers while erratic bursts of noise blared into the room (kind of like working on your taxes while your teenagers are blasting rap). Even after the noise and puzzles finally ended, people's heart rates kept climbing from the stress. That's not an unusual response. When your body anticipates stress, it can feel the effects before, during, and afterward. But it's those aftereffects that are most likely to strain your cardiovascular system.

And here's the zinger: Although the men's appetites were unfazed afterward, the women who had been driven crazy by the noise loaded up on bland foods, like plain popcorn (not so bad) and fatty cheese (not so good). Worse, other studies have found that in the middle of stress attacks, women and men start emotional eating, loading up on high-fat sweet foods -- heart disease in a box.

If you can't control the noise and you can't get away from it, you can at least moderate your body's response to it. Try classic stress busters -- focus on slow, rhythmic, deep breathing, for instance. It can help you get through tense situations and make it easier to unwind after they've passed. Then, ask your kids to download and play your favorite song -- and dance to it with your partner. That will help you stay thin and unstressed, too.