It is a common belief that women tend to lose weight after experiencing a breakup with a boyfriend, divorce or bereavement. However, a survey has shown that quite a few women in fact gain weight.

In a survey of 172 women in their 20s and 30s conducted by 365mc Diet Clinic, 55.8 percent of the respondents admitted to experiencing a change in weight after a breakup, with 38.4 percent losing weight and 17.4 percent gaining it.

Among those who gained weight, some 50 percent said they ate to relieve stress, while 28.6 percent said they did less exercise and went out less due to a feeling of emptiness and reluctance to meet people.

President of 365mc Diet Clinic Kim Ha-jin said, "Severe stress caused by a breakup or bereavement reduces appetite by exasperating sympathetic nerves, but sometimes it enhances it by increasing the secretion of cortisol." "Women should not rely on sweet food to relieve their stress," she added. The problem is some fail to return to their normal weight after a month while others find it just temporary.     

Kim went on to explain that sweet food exasperates parasympathetic nerves, providing a feeling of happiness, so habitual eating of sweets leads the body to remember the happy feeling the food creates, thereby making it difficult to lose weight. She said, "It's important to try to make oneself busy by getting involved in outdoor activities or finding a hobby even if feeling depressed. Having a positive attitude is also important."