The Surprising Reason You're Gaining Weight in Your 20s

Do you feel like you gain 10kg every time you even look at a biscuit or cake? Meanwhile your friend can eat 10 biscuits and never gain an ounce. Other than genetics, there's a new factor to blame: your childhood.

A new study from Michigan State University, published in the journal Social Science and Medicine, found that childhood stress has a huge impact on weight gain in adult women, so much so that it outweighs adult stress. Researchers looked at the Americans' Changing Lives survey which talked to 3,617 people over a 15-year period and crunched the numbers.

It was found that women who experienced higher levels of stress before the age of 16 (like having divorced parents, not knowing a father or hard economic times) gained weight faster as adults. Researchers say this might be because people establish lifestyle habits, like eating and exercising at an early age and habits are hard to break.

Men didn't have the same connection between stress and weight gain, whether in childhood or adulthood. It's not clear why there is a difference between the men and women but researchers have some ideas. First of all, women are more likely to be depressed than men as adults, and that can lead to binge eating. Plus, women are more likely to eat when they're feeling stressed, while men are more likely to turn to things like alcohol.

The study concludes that public health workers should start intervening in childhood, and use different techniques for boys and girls. And as for the grown-ups out there, it can't hurt to stop and think about why you're struggling with your weight; tackling your mental health should come before that diet plan.

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