Compulsive Snacking, Without Hunger, Is A Risk Factor For Weight Gain

People who snack compulsively when they’re not hungry can gain as much weight as when they consume large meals or calorie-rich foods, according to Australian researchers. Study participants were found to be susceptible to compulsive snacking, even after finishing a similar snack. In fact, 75 percent of participants ate a second chocolate snack after eating as much as they wanted of a first. The findings suggest that those people – who had a higher BMI – were more impulsive, and more responsive to food reward, even though they weren’t really hungry. The researchers concluded that repeated snacking in the absence of hunger is a risk factor for weight gain.