Not that I know much about it, Lorrie, but my doctor once mentioned to me that coffee (even decaf, oddly enough) spikes cortisol levels. However, my impression is that as of yet, there is no definite connection between cortisol levels and fat retention. I'll have to figure out where I got this from and come back with a link to post.
Of course you know I'll be defending coffee, right? (See smilie below).
-Nancy