What are the psychological factors that can cause obesity?

If you've grown up using food as a way to cope with life you will more than likely continue to use food as a coping mechanism until you can find another way to cope. This can lead people to being obese. The next time you are hungry try to determine whether or not that hunger is coming from your head or your stomach. If it is coming from your head it would suggest that you are using food to cope with things like boredom, anxiety, stress, confusion, frustration, love, anger, etc. It's time to pinpoint those situations so that you can alter using food and come up with a more healthy way of coping. Trying to find an alternative way of coping is hard but important. Brainstorm other things you can do besides eating and write them down. Now go through your list and pick out one or two ideas that might be reasonable for you. The next time you grab for food try the alternative.