According to the American Heart Association, 145 million men and women over 20 are overweight in the US, and of these individuals, 74.1 are obese. Obviously, finances are not the sole reason for these staggering numbers. Still, the emotional toll of financial instabilility may create a lifestyle revolving around stress, shame, guilt, and/or  uncertainty — all of which are emotional cues to eat. The Cleveland Clinic goes so far as to account emotional eating as responsible for 75 percent of overeating. 

By taking responsibility for finances, creating accurate records and a livable budget, analyzing and searching for the root of emotional distress, and understanding what non-eating activities alleviate your mood, overeating and avoiding weight gain in the recession allows you to contribute to the best investment around: your health.