A series of studies regarding functional somatic symptoms, that is, symptoms that cannot be completely explained by underlying pathology, suggested that these symptoms are: triggered by a sedentary lifestyle (partly) independent of poor physical fitness;22 associated with cortisol stress responses and pubertal status in a symptom-specific way;23,24 more likely to occur in offspring of overprotective parents;25 and perpetuated by school absenteeism.26
