Weight gain, and sudden weight gain at that? It sounds like a nightmare. However, there are various reasons for sudden weight gain, such as hormonal imbalance, medications, etc.
In this article, I will share some causes that could explain sudden weight gain.
Hormonal imbalance
If you are gaining weight for no obvious reason, it could be because of hormone imbalance or fluctuation. Hormone fluctuations mainly occur because of age, menopause, diet, medication, lifestyle, etc.
Take, for example, leptin, the fullness hormone. Its main function is to tell the brain that you are full and have eaten enough. If, for some reason, leptin is not working properly, your brain will never know when to stop, and you’ll overeat and gain weight.
On the other hand, ghrelin, which is opposite to leptin, tells the brain (hypothalamus) that you are hungry. Some people don’t know when they feel hungry and may or may not eat at the right time. This could also lead to an increase in weight.
If levels of cortisol remain abnormally high, they are linked with abnormal weight gain. High cortisol levels could also lead to stress eating and seeking comfort food, which is usually unhealthy.
Estrogen fluctuation is also linked with weight fluctuation. It could lead to inflammation, metabolic imbalance, etc.
In men, fat is more common in the abdominal and chest areas, while in women, it is common in the hips and thighs.
Medication could be a reason for sudden weight gain
Most of the time, medication can also lead to weight fluctuation. Certain medications, such as those for diabetes and antidepressants, are known to cause weight increase.
Such medications can also cause metabolic disorders and promote lipid storage. These effects are very common in patients with hypertension, diabetes, etc.
Another often ignored factor is weight gain supplements. In the market, you can find various muscle toners and mass gainers. These products contain artificial chemicals and provide no real benefits. They may lead to an increase in weight but in a unhealthy manner.
Even weight loss supplements can lead to an unnatural increase in weight.
Sedentary lifestyle
One of the most common reasons for weight gain is a sedentary lifestyle. People rarely realize that their lack of activity can lead to weight gain.
As a holistic nutritionist, I encounter several people who share their health stories with me. They often complain about how they don’t get time to work out and eat healthily, which leads to weight gain and rebound.
A sedentary lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean you are lying on the sofa all day. It can also apply to those who have office jobs, remain seated for hours, and don’t get time to work out. These individuals often rely on quick food or UPFs to satisfy their hunger.
TDEE, or Total Daily Energy Expenditure, is the total energy you need throughout the day. It depends on your age, sex, height, weight, and activity levels.
For example, I need 2700 kcal/day. If I eat more than this, I will gain weight. If I eat less, I will lose weight, and if I eat this much, I will maintain my weight.
A major factor that can lead to sudden weight gain is how much we are eating, what we are eating, when we are eating, and why we are eating.
Here are some easy ways that can help you burn more calories.
Injury could be a possible reason for weight gain
Injury or accident could be another reason for weight gain. If someone is injured, they may avoid physical activity, leading to a weight surplus.
When a person is injured, they will restrict their movement or might not move as much as they did before. On the other hand, they continue consuming food, which takes them over their recommended TDEE.
When I was injured, I avoided any kind of workout. I even avoided walking, which is common for those who have foot injury. During such time we seek pleasure with food that is high in calories. However, unfortunately, we are not burning sufficient calories.
Genetics could lead to weight gain
Genes affect obesity and weight gain in many ways. For example, they determine how efficiently our body can burn calories. Some people genetically have slower metabolisms, while others may have faster ones.
Genes also determine how the body stores fat. Some people are prone to store fat in the belly, hips, etc. If even one of your parents has obesity, your chances of having it are as high as 80%.
Genetic variations also determine food cravings and can influence hormones like leptin and ghrelin. Slight variations in these can lead to an increase in hunger.
For those whose weight is influenced by genes, losing weight may be difficult but not impossible.
Environmental factors also play a role in determining obesity, such as healthy eating practices and the availability of food. Children’s food habits are easily adopted from their parents, and they remain with them for a long time.
Even if parents are necessarily avoiding physical activity, it could be learned by children and later it could lead to weight gain.
Stress
Cortisol, the stress hormone, could be a determining factor for weight increase. It acts as an appetite stimulant and even makes us crave sugary, salty, and fatty foods. Our brain thinks that we may need such foods immediately for survival or in stressful conditions.
A study revealed that those who were stressed burned fewer calories than those who were not stressed. So, it can be said that, besides influencing eating habits, stress also influences metabolism.
Further studies have linked depression with a higher likelihood of obesity and an increase in visceral fat.
If stress is not treated, it could lead to obesity and other diseases like hypertension, heart disease, etc.
Conclusion
Sometimes unknown factors can lead to much worse outcomes. Nobody wants unnecessary weight gain, but they may need to look out for possible reasons that could cause an increase in weight.
I’ve discussed a few reasons for sudden weight gain, but how to control that weight still remains a question.
It’s simple: eat a good diet, be more active, take less stress, and sleep well. Yes, surprisingly, sleeping is an antidote to weight gain. It prevents hormonal imbalance, helps in recovery, and even helps in controlling stress.
If you notice sudden weight gain, feel free to reach out. I might be of some help.
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