Toxic Relationships Can Make Us Fat

Toxic relationships can contribute to weight gain (making you "fat") through chronic stress, which raises cortisol levels, increases appetite for comfort foods, slows metabolism, and can lead to emotional eating and guilt, disrupting healthy habits and causing physical responses like increased fat storage. Studies show unhappy couples gain weight, and hostile interactions can even reduce calorie burning, making weight gain more likely, as highlighted in studies from the University of Utah and Ohio State University. 

How Toxic Relationships Lead to Weight Gain

• Cortisol & Stress: Constant conflict triggers the body's stress response, releasing cortisol, a hormone that increases appetite (especially for carbs/fats) and promotes fat storage, particularly around the abdomen.

• Metabolic Slowdown: Research found hostile partners burned fewer calories after meals and had higher insulin levels, which encourages food intake and fat storage, say Psychology Today and Glamour magazine.

• Emotional & Comfort Eating: Anxiety, depression, and guilt from relationship problems often lead to using food as a coping mechanism, creating a cycle of overeating and more guilt, according to the HuffPost.

• Behavioral Changes: Stress can disrupt sleep and lead to less motivation for exercise, while feeling controlled or isolated can further impact self-care, according to Main Line Health. 

  
  

The Vicious Cycle

1. Stress: The toxic environment causes chronic stress and anxiety.

2. Hormones: Stress hormones (cortisol) increase.

3. Appetite: Cravings for unhealthy foods rise, and metabolism slows.

4. Eating: Overeating or poor food choices occur.

5. Guilt: Guilt adds to stress, fueling more unhealthy eating.