Why do alcoholics have a tendency to be overweight?

Alcohol has calories: Because alcoholics are already drinking large amounts of toxic-to-the-liver alcohol every day, they are usually not health-conscious people. So, they may be eating too much junk food and not exercising. Also, alcoholic drinks have lots of calories. Examples: 3 ounces of vodka/rum/whiskey = about 200 calories; 12 oz beer = 150 cal; 12 oz light beer = 100 cal; 6 oz wine = 170 cal.

Not sure they do: The majority of chronic alcoholics are actually underweight. Alcoholics who drink mostly beer (a minority) are getting a large number of calories just from the beer and alcohol, so often are overweight. Alcohol itself has almost as many calories per gram (8) as does fat (9), so people drinking a liter of vodka are taking in 1000svof cals. Just from the alcohol. Heavy drinkers also overeat.