Is Your Relationship With Your Parents Making You Gain Weight?

Do you reach for a bag of chips when you’re sad? Blame your mom. According to new research from the University of Illinois, your childhood bond with your parents can cause emotional eating and weight gain well into adulthood.

In the study, researchers looked at 497 primary caregivers of 2½- to 3½-year-old children. Turns out, insecurely attached parents—those who punished or dismissed their children’s sad, anxious, or angry emotions—had kids who were more likely to soothe their emotions by eating unhealthy foods.

Previous research shows that people’s attachment style influences how they respond to negative emotions. Now, we know that extends to emotional eating.

Researchers say the effect your parents’ attachment style has on your eating habits can even be passed to your children. After all, history is infamous for repeating itself, and children of insecurely attached parents are at risk for growing up to be insecurely attached to their children as well.

Break the emotional eating cycle with these tips to curb overeating and boost your mood:

Stress-Busting Foods

The Science of Emotional Eating

Avoid the Comfort Food Trap

Stress and Weight Gain

The Happiness Diet

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