Obesity is not just a simple condition of eating too much. It is now acknowledged that obesity is a serious, chronic disease. No human condition, neither gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nor disease compares to obesity in prevalence and prejudice, mortality and morbidity, sickness and stigma.
Negative emotions, traumatic incidents and childhood experiences can all affect weight. Life events that cause high levels of stress can commonly lead to overeating and weight gain.
Many people with psychological problems turn to food for comfort and relief from stress. To change even one stress response to a calm response is very difficult and usually takes energy, willingness and commitment to self-change.