Why are so many people overweight? It is not just for the obvious reason, which is eating without exercising. There are usually other reasons for weight problems. Here is a list of the most common. If any of them are your problem, there is hope. Treat the problem and your symptoms (weight problems) can be cured.

1. Boredom is a big problem, especially for homemakers and the unemployed. Often eating is a diversion from a boring routine.
2. If you feel unappreciated or unrewarded, you could be using eating as a means of rewarding yourself.
3. If you feel unloved, you may treat yourself to the comfort of indulging in your favourite foods.
4. If you have trouble coping with unpleasant feelings like anxiety, anger, or sadness, you may try to bury them under piles of food.
5. We often associate food with comfort so if we are feeling lost or alone we could be reaching out for comfort foods. Nothing says home like home cooking.
6. Many social situations require the sharing of food. Meet friends at a restaurant or cafe, go out for drinks and nibbles or just ‘do lunch’. It is easy to fill uncomfortable silence with food.
7. If you experienced real or perceived deprivation as a child, you may be afraid of missing your next meal.
8. You are planning a diet and you are afraid of missing out. You feel compelled to compensate.
9. The food tastes good and it makes you feel good.
10. Overeating can be a way of making yourself unattractive to the opposite sex. You are trying to hide from feelings of fear by taking yourself out of the running.