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From "S&H Study: Eating Styles Linked with Obesity," by Deborah Kesten. Published by Spirituality & Health Magazine:

A landmark study conducted on the Spirituality & Health website by Larry Scherwitz, Ph.D., and this writer, is the first to identify new patterns of eating (eating styles) linked with obesity, over-consumption, and being overweight.

Here is a brief overview of the eating styles that may be contributing to your weight gain. The goal is to become aware of areas that aren't working for you and that need your attention.

Food Fretting. Good food, bad food. Legal food, illegal food. Sinful food, virtuous food. The "food-fretting" eating style is about being overly concerned with and focused on food, as well as projecting moral judgment onto what you and others "should" eat.

Task Snacking. Some call it "multi-tasking"; the French call it "vagabond eating"; many in America think it's "normal." However it's perceived, if you often eat meals or snacks while working, driving, or watching TV, you're a "task snacker."

Emotional Eating. Most of us are familiar with the phrase "emotional eating," which refers to those who turn to "comfort" food to soothe negative feelings, such as depression, or to enhance positive celebratory emotions. Emotional eaters manage feelings through food.

Fast Foodism. Sugary cereal for breakfast; a double burger with fries for lunch; a supersized pizza for dinner. Add several servings of soft drinks throughout the day, along with chips and other processed snacks, and "fast foodism" is likely to be threatening your waistline.

Sensory Disregard, Spiritual Disconnection. If the idea of savoring the aroma and taste of food is alien to you, and you do not "flavor" your meals with gratitude and regard, lack of "sensory and spiritual nourishment" may be a contributing factor to your overeating.

Unappetizing Atmosphere. This eating style asks that you focus on creating pleasing dining aesthetics-from the atmosphere in your home when you eat to your surroundings in restaurants, drive-thrus, or when dining in others' homes.

Solo Dining. To lower the odds of overeating and to manage your weight more effectively, you can overcome the "solo-dining" eating style by shifting from a "me" mentality to a "we" awareness through dining with others as often as possible.

This pioneering study on the seven eating styles and their link with obesity was published in the September 2005 issue of the peer-reviewed medical journal EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing. Says David Riley, M.D., the magazine's editor-in-chief: "These results provide a fresh perspective that . . . could signal a paradigm shift in the field of nutrition." Deborah Kesten is the author of "The Healing Secrets of Food: A Practical Guide for Nourishing Body, Mind, and Soul."