New research suggests that compulsive snacking -- even if the snack session consist of healthy items -- is a leading cause of weight gain.

Researchers at Queensland University of Technology found that  eating too frequently, especially in the absence of hunger,  is a major cause of weight gain.

"Excessive portion size and energy-dense foods are often blamed for weight gain but the frequency of eating is a significant contributor too. Some people are more inclined to be susceptible to reward gained from foods," Dr. Stephanie Fay said in a statement. "

For the study, researchers explored what  would happen when we offered volunteers a chocolate snack right after they'd had as much as they wanted of a similar snack food. They recruited 50 adults to participate in a snack taste test in which they ate a chocolate snack, after which they were offered an unanticipated opportunity to initiate a second eating episode. Researchers took note of the volunteers' participants self control, sensitivity to reward, dietary restraint and disinhibited eating.

They found that those who initiated snacking were  better at inhibitory control compared with those who did not initiate. However, among participants who initiated snacking, intake was predicted by higher food reward sensitivity, impulsivity and they were heavier.  

Fay said the results suggest "that repeated snacking in the absence of hunger is a risk factor for weight gain."

The findings are detailed in the journal Eating Behaviors.