New studies conducted by researchers at Cornell University and the State University of New York suggest that people who use their credit card may not only be more likely to carry extra debt - they may also be carrying extra weight, according to ConsumerAffairs.com.

One of the studies, recently published in the Journal of Consumer Research, indicates that people who use credit cards to purchase food are more likely to buy unhealthy fare than those who use other payment methods.

Researchers collected data from several American grocery store chains. They found that the 41 percent of consumers who used credit cards were more likely to add an impulse junk food item to their cart.

A second study during which college students were provided with a list of healthy and unhealthy foods and asked what payment method they would use showed that those who opted for credit card payments not only bought less healthy food, they also spent more money.

This may be the perfect opportunity for shoppers to kill two birds with one stone - by using your own funds instead of a credit card, one may lose weight and decrease their debt, as MSNBC states that one of the most effective ways to lower one's balance is to stop using credit cards when shopping.