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Eating "healthy" foods - Some "healthy" foods are just junk food in disguise. From fat free yogurts to breakfast cereal packed with sugar, many foods are branded as healthy but are actually poor additions to our diets.

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Not relaxing - Stress can make you fat. You are more likely to crave high sugar and high fat foods. For this reason, it is very important to find a way to relax and alleviate the stress in your life.

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Your house is dirty - Researchers have found that some household dust contains chemicals that might promote the development of fat cells.

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Sitting for long periods - If you work in an office, you will most likely spend between 8-10 hours a day sitting down. Not only will this slow down your metabolism, contributing to weight gain, it's also linked to higher mortality rates. The solution? Exercise.

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Sleeping poorly - Sleeping is essential for cellular regeneration and numerous physiological processes that have an impact on maintaining a healthy weight. Lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain.

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Eating too quickly - Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly is important, as it allows your brain enough time to register that you're full. Several studies show that there is a link between eating fast and obesity.

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You live in a big city - Although more research is needed, there is actually a relationship between living in a smoggy city and obesity. This is mostly due to exposure to a number of environmental pollutants.

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Busy social life - You can (and should) have a social life, but many times this involves eating out and consuming alcohol. Plus, if your friends tend to eat unhealthy foods, you're more likely to do the same.

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Not drinking enough water - Stay hydrated. Drinking two cups of water before mealtimes can help you lose weight. Researchers at the University of Humboldt discovered that the participants in a study had higher metabolic rates when they drank water before eating.

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Spend some time in the sun - Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that people who were exposed to more sunlight in the morning lost more weight than those who avoided the sun.

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Eating too many healthy fats - Healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, and coconut oil can be great as part of a balanced diet. But these are highly caloric, so you can easily consume more calories than you thought you would.

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Skipping meals - Don't skip meals. Starving yourself, with the exception of scheduled fasting regimes, will only lead to overeating.

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Drinking calories - You might drink a lot of calories and still eat normally. This is because your brain doesn't register caloric intake from liquids the same way it does with whole foods. Sodas, fruit juices, and other sugary drinks can make you gain weight.

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It's a medication side effect - There are a number of drugs that can alter your weight. Some might increase your appetite, while others can impact water retention, hormones, and metabolism.

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Tableware size matters - You are more likely to consume higher quantities of food when eating from large plates and bowls. This means that it will be easier to reach a caloric surplus, and eventually gain weight.

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Eating in front of the TV - Research has found that people tend to overeat when they're distracted during their meals. Avoid eating in front of the TV or focus on your meals.

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Having irregular mealtimes -

This will make you feel more hungry. Plus, it will disrupt your metabolism.

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Not eating enough protein - Protein makes you feel fuller for longer. It's also essential to preserve muscle mass and regulate your hormones and metabolism. Lacking protein in your diet might contribute to weight gain.

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Not eating enough fiber - Like protein, fiber also makes you feel fuller, for longer. A lack of dietary fiber can lead to weight gain, and you will eventually eat more to feel satiated.

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Taking the elevator - We're all guilty of this one, but taking the stairs instead of the elevator can make a difference. You will burn more calories and get fitter at the same time.

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Not having healthy snacks around - When you're hungry, you're more likely to crave unhealthy foods. Having healthy snacks around will help you control hunger and cravings between meals.

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Breaking your diet on the weekends - Many people believe that sticking to their diet during the week allows them to go crazy on the weekends. Try not to go overboard with alcohol and food on the weekend.

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You might just be thirsty - Some people do mistake thirst with hunger. In fact, a study shows that this is fairly common.

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Grocery shopping without a list - A list is a great way to prevent you from impulse buying unhealthy foods, which will consequently make you gain weight. And in addition to avoiding temptation, you'll also save money!

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Coffees with extras - Drinking too many milky, sugary coffees might be contributing to your weight gain. These beverages are usually quite high in calories. An alternative would be to switch to black coffee instead.

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Not eating enough fruit and vegetables - Not only are these packed with vitamins and minerals, they're also low in calories, which might help with keeping your weight in check.

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Adding too much dressing - It's easy to get carried away and add to much dressing to your salads. These are usually packed with calories, and what should be a healthy meal can turn into a caloric bomb.

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Mental health and mood - If you're not well mentally, your waistline might suffer. You're more likely to comfort eat to trigger the reward system in your brain.

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You can't resist salty foods -

Salt can actually make you overeat as it can trick you brain into not knowing and signaling that you're full.

See also: What are the most (and least) addictive foods?

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