9 Factors That Prevent Weight Loss

Author: Joe Fowler Time for reading: ~2 minutes Last Updated: February 12, 2026

9 Factors That Prevent Weight Loss

In this article, learn more about 9 Factors That Prevent Weight Loss. Avoid eating with friends who like to indulge in treats..

Friends . If people we contact frequently gain weight, the risk of the same thing happening to us is just as high, according to researchers at Harvard University. A recent Dutch study found that we tend to mimic the behavior of others when eating. Researchers are convinced that eating in the company of gourmands contributes to the consumption of more food.

Photo temptations . Viewing photos of high-fat foods stimulates the appetite control center in the brain. This leads to an increased desire for sweets and other temptations, a team of psychologists from the University of Southern California found.

Fast food . People who chew each bite 40 times consume less food than those who do it only 15 times. Prolonged chewing prevents overeating, thus giving the brain more time to receive signals from the stomach that it is full.

Eating at work . It is estimated that by consuming food in the office we take in 30% more calories than usual. In addition, women are more likely to be influenced by their colleagues' eating patterns than men.

Improper plate color. Choosing a plate in the same color as the food leads to the consumption of less food. When the same amount of food is served on a dish with a contrasting color, such as red spaghetti on a green plate, the portion seems larger and the psychological impact is more satisfying.

Do you avoid the mirror? Eating near it can actually have a strong effect on calories consumed, reducing the amount of food consumed by almost 1/3, a US study found. According to the theory of scientists, when we look in the mirror during a meal, we remind ourselves why we are trying to lose weight.

Stress. Stress promotes weight gain because it leads to the release of cortisol. Over time, elevated hormone levels lead to the accumulation of belly fat.

Buying too much variety of foods . Providing a small selection of foods at home promotes successful weight loss. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , when participants were offered the same food, they tended to eat less overall.

Music during meals . It can stimulate us to eat more. If you have a habit of listening to music while eating, at least make sure it's slow. Psychologists have found that a faster pace stimulates the consumption of more food and vice versa - slower music prevents overeating.

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