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New Study Says Fans Of Losing Sports Teams Are Fatter

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There's an old saying that goes "You are what you eat," but a new study out of Europe that looks at NFL football says that depending on whether your team wins or loses, it may determine what you eat.

"It is a sad day though after a Steeler loss," said Kenneth Reynolds of McKeesport. "I guess so. It might be. It might be."

Past studies have been shown sporting outcomes influence reckless driving, heart attacks and even domestic violence -- it's the first one done on how it impacts eating.

"Maybe people aren't as cheerful the next day so they don't eat as well," Reynolds said.

When asked if maybe they're trying to find comfort in a comfort food, Reynolds replied, "Yeah, maybe so."

The French study suggests fans of a losing team eat 16 percent more saturated fat compared to their typical Monday diet -- while backers of the winning team eat 9 percent less fat compared to their usual diet.

"It doesn't mean you have to fill your belly with food," said Mary Ann Bruck of the South Side.

Despite many Pittsburghers' feelings of sadness after a loss, Bruck says she still doesn't turn to food.

"It's sad, but I don't overeat," she said.

But not everyone is buying the research published in the journal Psychological Science.

"You might just not care as much about what you are eating," said Don Marsh of Brookline. "Might just feel like celebrating a little bit -- you know? I mean, head down and go out to eat something rather than pack your lunch, the same old peanut butter and jelly sandwich if they lost you know. But if you win, you go all out and get Primanti's or something."

"It's interesting that you say that because when you celebrate, I tend to celebrate with food or things of that celebratory nature," said Maureen Denieva of San Francisco. "But when you come off a really, really big loss, I just want to eat a pie."

Your mother always told you moderation in all things. Perhaps that's true with this study as well.

It says diehard fans actually after a loss eat a third more calories and fat than they would if their team would have won.

Think about that as the Steelers play this weekend.

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