The REAL Reason You May Be Overeating

So much for the "I had a bad day" excuse: Feeling in a funk may not increase your odds of overeating, according to a new study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
 
The researchers tracked the eating habits and emotions of 127 female college students at random times over the course of a week and found that the women regularly felt out of control while eating and frequently consumed large quantities of food. (Why is one spoonful of Nutella never enough??)
 
MORE: 19 Ways to Measure Perfect and Healthy Portion Sizes  

These behaviors may sound like the hallmarks of emotional eating, but feelings actually held little sway over the women's decision to dive in. The times when the study participants reported feeling grumpy weren't followed by bouts of out-of-control eating. The women did, however, say that their mood took a hit after they ate more than they should have.  
 
In other words, a bad mood may not be to blame when you overdo it. Although feeling down may lead to binge eating in people with diagnosed eating disorders, a change in mood doesn't seem to precipitate overeating in the average woman, the researchers say.

MORE: The Surprising Way Stress Makes You Vulnerable to Weight Gain  
 
What might compel you to binge? Your friends. Past research has shown that women feel pressure to conform to the eating habits of their gal pals—and that can include housing a half-gallon of ice cream if your girlfriends grab a spoon. The scientists add that the closer your group of friends is, the stronger their influence over your eating will likely be.
 
Read: Girls' night may be a bigger threat to your waistline than a day from hell. To avoid over-indulging when you're out with your friends, focus on paying attention to your own hunger cues—rather than automatically following everyone else's lead. Your waistline will thank you.

MORE: How NOT to Gain Weight at Happy Hour 

1. Prev:The Workplace Amenity That Can Make You Gain Weight—Does Your Job Have It?
2. Next:5 Ways to Lose 15 Pounds