Emotional Causes of Weight Gain

Why do women gain weight? Some part of this problem is purely physical, of course: We take in more calories than we expend. But increasingly experts are wondering about the mental underpinnings of weight gain as well.

According to dietician Laurel Mellin, many women pack on pounds because they unwittingly use food as a way to comfort themselves when feeling stressed, sad, or afraid. Sound familiar? To fight this kind of weight gain, says Mellin, you need to brush up on emotional skills that, as a child, you somehow failed to learn.

For starters, Mellin advises, ask yourself exactly what you’re feeling as often as five times a day. If you’re wallowing in angst, figure out the problem and decide on solutions that would really solve it. If you’re lonely and blue, for example, you might call a friend or write a letter. Eventually you’ll teach yourself that the solution isn’t cookies—it’s connection. http://www.health.com/health/article/0,23414,1141952,00.html