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[shahrukh]

If you watch what you eat and exercise but can't shift the weight, perhaps one of these factors could be to blame?

[shahrukh]

Not sleeping well? It could be affecting your appetite. People who get five hours sleep had 15% more ghrelin (the hormone which increases hunger) and 15% less leptin (the hormone which suppress appetite), than those who sleep for eight hours, according to one study.

[shahrukh]

It’s not just increased appetite you have to worry about. Another study found that sleep deprivation causes us to crave carbohydrates and calorie-dense foods - leading us to eat as many as 900 extra calories a day.

[shahrukh]

Researchers at Yale University found that women who store abdominal fat have higher levels of stress and anxiety compared to those who carry fat around their hips. When we're stressed, we release a hormone called cortisol, which makes us store fat in case of famine

[shahrukh]

Couples who live together are more likely to be overweight. According to researchers at the University of Western Australia, women on average gain just under two kilos (four pounds).

[shahrukh]

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Some scientists believe ‘obesogens’ - chemicals and manufactured additives in the environment - can alter the way our bodies store fat. Examples include phthalates, found in plastics, and antimicrobial agents found in everything from wood preservatives to paint.