Overeating is one of the most difficult habits to break. Overeating means consuming more or other than planned. Most of us are overeating for a hundred different reasons. We are eating due to stress, irritation and frustration. It may be worry or overwork. To overcome the negative impact overeating has on our bodies, we must take positive and immediate steps.

• People eat when they get bored or do not have anything interesting to do or look.

• Some people turn to food whenever they experience an emotional upswing or downturn.

• There are some serious medical conditions causing the problem for some overeaters. These include thyroid imbalance, hormone imbalance and metabolic imbalance.

• Biological cause of overeating is that if you’ve gone too long without eating, for example longer than five hours, then you are bound to overeat at the next mealtime. You may feel you didn’t have control over your eating.

• People overeat when they do not get enough calories in a day, or inadequate eating.

• When people feel deprived of the foods which they enjoy and this leaves them craving for them even more.

• People turn to food when someone says or does something upsetting or hurtful to them. Anxieties and emotions can also lead to the desire to eat. Some women eat because they are sad or stressed out.