"Comfort food" - it has a pleasant inviting sound to it, but it refers to the inappropriate use of food for purposes other than to satisfy nutritional needs or hunger. Research has shown that weight gain is strongly associated with emotional eating, even more so than with any lifestyle factor. Tying emotions to food can happen quickly be reinforced unwittingly. What did you learn about food and feelings growing up? Are you passing the "use food for comfort" message to those you love? Boredom, anger, depression, happiness, loneliness, stress, and resentment are common feeling states that trigger eating behaviors. To intervene, learn more about emotional eating.