In a long-term, large-scale study, researchers periodically interviewed more than 10,000 participants about their levels of stress at work. People who reported having a high demand job along with little authority to make decisions and a low level of support were more likely to become obese. Intermittent stress at work increased the chance of obesity by 17 percent or more. Ongoing work stress increased the chances of becoming obese by up to 73 percent.