For the third year running, money, work and the economy top Americans’ list of stressors, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Nearly three-quarters of respondents reported unhealthy stress levels in 2010, about the same as in 2009. Satisfaction with work-life balance dropped from 42% in 2009 to 36% in 2010. Meanwhile, stress over job stability is on the rise, from 44% of people experiencing job stability concerns in 2009 to 49% in 2010. The results also found that parents underestimate the impact of stress on their families. While 69% of parents say their stress has little or no impact on their children, 91% of kids ages 8 to 17 say that they can tell when their parents are stressed out. The survey also uncovered a link between stress and weight among both adults and children. One-third of the children in the survey were overweight. The overweight kids were more likely to report that their parents were stressed (39% vs. 30% for normal-weight children). Overweight and obese kids were also more likely to experience health problems related to stress.
