Portions have steadily increased over the decades, leaving many diners toting home leftovers in doggie bags or simply overeating.

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Overeaters have a similar shortage of dopamine receptors, but researchers don't know if that is an inherited difference, one developed by overeating or a combination of the two.

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Overeating, or comfort eating, is the cheap, meek option for self-satisfaction, and self-obliteration.

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And many people deal with those problems by overeating, drinking or smoking.

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When someone brings up the subject of smoking, overeating, alcoholism or other addiction, the final word in the conversation always seems to be how much it costs us in insurance and hospital bills.

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"(Journaling) helps them recognize where they might be missing out and skipping meals, or going too long in between meals and therefore leading to overeating at subsequent meals, " she said.

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It seems to stimulate overeating by speeding up production of a chemical messenger in the brain called GABA, or gamma-amino butyric acid.

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