Overeating and Obesity

Studies have been conducted for more than 50 years attempting to pinpoint exactly what causes chronic or frequent overeating. Chronic and/or frequent overeating often result in obesity. Early studies concluded that overeating was a result of anxiety.

Since these early study conclusions...many more studies have been undertaken and completed. While original research indicated that anxiety was the reason for overeating...it isn't quite true. Anxiety is no longer accepted as the sole reason for overeating. The problem is much wider than that. There are more than one ways to fall victim to the issue.

Studies conducted over the past 50 years make it clear that overeating (in relation to obesity and obese individuals) is related to emotions rather than anxiety. This connection between obesity, overeating and emotions is apparently in both groups of obese individuals participating in treatment and groups of obese individuals not participating in any treatment.

Overeating amongst the obese carries some definite characteristics. These defining characteristics include: a lack of real hunger, secrecy, high calorie/high fat "favorite" foods, etc. The "emotion" leading up to or causing the overeating vary from individual to individual. But they are often found amongst the following list: frustration, depression, stress, anger, boredom, loneliness, and anxiety.

Study findings indicate that emotional distress in obese individuals triggers overeating. The same theory did not hold true amongst control groups of normal weight.

Studies continue to be study and new studies continue to be undertaken in order to further understand the relationship between obesity and overeating. Emotional dependency on food is becoming more clearly defined with each additional study.

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