Empaths & Weight

I have recently made the connection between being an Empath and taking on extra body weight. I never noticed this before and I wonder why it isn't discussed more in the weight-loss communities. Are people aware of it? I know it is common for victims of sexual abuse to become obese which makes sense. (Oprah's story is one that comes to mind). I also noticed before that many massage therapists are often more heavyset. Is this because by touching people they automatically process more of their stuff and need a barrier?I also have my own recent experience with finally losing a significant amount of weight that I had had for years. The catalyst in me losing it was actually a HUGE fight I had with my father while visiting. Immediately after the fight I flew home and felt a blow in my 3rd chakra as though a physical cord had been severed and that a significant separation had involuntarily occured--after butting heads with my father for years. While I didn't make the connection until much later, it was very shortly after this that I felt pulled to go to a Weight Watchers meeting. Once I made that commitment, losing the weight was not all that difficult. It seems as though all the elements were in place.Throughout the process and even now I look back and notice how weight is a protective layer. I recently heard someone say that overweight individuals are in "protective" mode. What is it protecting us from?It wasn't until a session with Elaine when the other puzzle piece came together. I learned I was an empath and as a result I process other peoples emotions and "stuff", subconsiously. Finally a name to what I'd been feeling all this time! This is why I always was so tired, especially around people. Being tired makes me feel like I need more "fuel" which makes me eat more than is necessary, which makes me gain weight, which gives me the protection I needed. A-ha! It's all linked together.For me, I can see that my father is the person who I had always tried to help emotionally, taking on his stuff, always trying to fix it, make him feel better, etc.. While never being able to. The funny thing is, I think my father is exactly this same way!This has made me think about so many other Empath issues and I wonder if cigarette smokers do it to push people away because they "can't handle" life?I'd love to learn more about this if anyone has any insights!