I heard something different, but still similar to what V is stating.
Women who are fat sometimes have issues with themselves due to past relationships, in which looking for love leads them to food - there is a great connection between love and food, believe it or not.
Anyhow, they are looking to replace the love that they didn't have during whatever issues have arisen in their lives and so they turn to food; when they come across a man who will
physically love them, they also go to him, even if he's a manipulative douche-bag.
... Actually, I have some of these traits, 'cause I have had an abusive past. I know full well about the link between emotions and food and love and food, and I know about the 'clinginess'.
It's a sad thing; anyhow, not entirely the same as V said, but again, similar. Thing is, it's a similar cycle in those who do drugs and/or drink excessively. Not all the time, but for those who do have a past, this is found to usually be the case.