Weight gain during post-breakup cravings is more myth than fact, according to a new study.
Next time you have a breakup, you can eat guilt-free, as new research has found that heartbreak is a fad rather than a fact. The study conducted by psychology professors at Penn State Harrisburg (United States) and published in the Journal of the Evolutionary Studies Consortium looked at the German concept of “kummerspeck”, (which translates to excessive weight gain due to emotional eating, such as during a romantic breakup for example). They found no evidence that supports the concept of breakdown leading to weight gain from emotional eating.
One primitive reflex become useless
Marissa Harrison, an associate professor of psychology at Penn State Harrisburg, says kummerspeck might have been a reality in ancient times when humans hoarded food after a breakup, but the new study has proven that modern humans have outgrown the habit. . According to Professor Harrison, in ancient times, food was harder to come by, and many depended on their partner to provide it. If the partner abandoned the dependent, it could make it difficult for him to find food. If people can feel afflicted with sadness after a breakup and indulge in binge eating for a day or two after the breakup, it doesn’t lead to weight gain.
Researchers claim that even some documentation indicates that many people indulge in binge eating to overcome negative feelings after a breakup and may make unhealthy food choices, research shows that this does not trigger weight gain. Marissa Harrison says post-breakup weight gain could have evolutionary benefits over time because lack of food was scary.
The word “kummerspeck” suggests that the phenomenon existed in the past, but new research shows that the phenomenon is no longer relevant to modern humans. The researchers undertook two studies to test the kummerspeck theory. First, 581 people were recruited to participate in an online survey to determine the phenomenon of weight gain in the year following the breakup. The majority of participants, 62.7%, reported no weight change after the breakup. This surprised the researchers and they decided to perform an additional study.
For the second study, the researchers recruited 261 other people to answer a different and more in-depth survey than the one used in the first test. The new survey asked participants if they had ever experienced the dissolution of a long-term relationship and whether they had gained or lost weight afterwards. The survey also asked participants about their attitudes towards their ex-partner, how committed the relationship was, who caused the breakup, whether participants tended to eat emotionally and how much they enjoyed food in general.
Although all of the participants reported having experienced a breakup at some point in their life, the majority of them (65.13%) reported no change in weight after the dissolution of their relationship. Marissa Harrison says both studies surprised researchers, but found evidence that rules out the existence of kummerspeck. Those who report gaining weight after a breakup tend to eat emotionally, Harrison says.
The researcher says the study may have clinical implications and may help clinicians or counselors caring for patients who tend to eat emotionally. Harrison says people who already engage in emotional eating may need more support during breakups.
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