According to CDC, more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. Obesity increases a person’s risk for many diseases and health conditions. Overeating and lack of physical activity contribute to weight gain. These are some of the commonly known factors, but there are other factors that most people are unaware can also cause obesity.
Medications You Take
Some medicines cause weight gain by disrupting the chemical signals of the brain. Talk to your primary care physician if you notice a sudden gain in your weight when started on a particular medicine. Check with your physician for alternatives or other combinations to treat your medical condition, but with less effect on your weight. Antidepressants, beta-blockers, insulin, birth control, etc., are some of the commonly used medications that can trigger weight gain.
Some Medical Conditions
Studies show that some medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, insomnia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, congestive heart failure, metabolic syndrome, etc., can cause weight gain. Sometimes, these medical conditions must be treated first for your weight to reach a normal range. Many do not know that menopause can also cause weight gain.
Psychological Factors
Psychological factors like low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness, can lead to overeating. This type of stress or emotional-induced overeating can lead to weight gain. Also, people who try to lose weight might fail, because of the comfort and feeling better when they overeat.
Sleep Routine
Sleep, and more importantly, sleep deprivation, can have a significant impact on your weight and metabolism. A Study done by the Clinical Sciences Research Institute study shows that children and adults with short sleep duration were respectively 89% and 55% more likely to develop obesity. Getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night regularly can affect the hormones that control hunger urges.
Eating Pattern
Regardless of how much you eat, unhealthy eating patterns can also impact your BMI.
Here are some:
Eating more calories than you need or use
Eating processed and junk food
Consuming beverages that are high in sugar
Munching in front of a screen
Large portions of food
Late night snacking
These habits over time, can result in craving and overeating, and cause obesity, cardiac issues, diabetes, etc.
Inherited Genes
Genes seem to increase the risk of weight gain when interacting with other risk factors, such as unhealthy diets and an inactive lifestyle. They may not be the sole reason for being obese or overweight, however, studies reveal they do play a role. People with a high genetic risk for obesity can lower that risk by making healthy lifestyle changes and opting for a well-balanced diet.
Slow Metabolism
Metabolism is the rate at which your body expends energy or burns calories. People who have a slower metabolism tend to conserve energy more and store it as fat. Many blame their weight gain entirely on slow metabolism, but that is not the case. Weight gain happens due to many factors as mentioned above and slow metabolism is just a tiny part of those reasons.
Takeaway
You might have heard this a lot, but making lifestyle changes and choosing a well-balanced diet are some of the simplest ways to help you maintain healthy body weight.
Book an initial weight loss assessment with us for a medical-assisted weight loss plan that can be customized for your needs.