The reason why having a bit of extra flab makes you happier revealed
A BIT of extra flab makes us happier, a study suggests.
An increase in BMI height-to-weight ratio has been found to be linked to greater contentment — although there is a limit.
It will be welcome news to those planning to get stuck into cheese, wine and chocolate this Christmas.
We will typically scoff up to 6,000 calories on December 25 — more than double the recommended amount.
In the latest study, researchers analysed the weight and feelings of 8,900 German adults over ten years.
They were surprised to find that piling on the pounds did not significantly reduce happiness for those in any weight category.
Indeed, they typically became happier as their size increased.
However, their levels of contentment tailed off as they tipped the scales into obesity.
Researcher Dr Felix Bittmann said: “What we see is that changing and increasing weight has no negative influence on happiness at all. Sometimes, even positive results arise.
“This is somewhat surprising as it is a fact that being overweight or obese is linked to worse health and it is known that health is a predictor of happiness.”
Eating makes us feel good as the body rewards itself for fuelling with energy and vitamins — while trying to lose weight is difficult and stressful.
It comes as two out of three British adults are overweight or obese.
Ministers and the NHS are desperate to shrink the nation’s waistlines and hope weight-loss jabs will help.