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          Weight GainWe all know that weight gain can be extremely frustrating, especially when you don’t have any clue what’s causing it. Your diet typically plays the largest role in weight gain, but there are other factors that may contribute to weight gain such as stress, lack of sleep, and underlying health conditions. According to Stacey Samson of Medical News Today, most people experience fluctuations in their weight, and it is common to gain weight over time.

          The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute stated that weight gain occurs when more energy (as calories from food and beverage consumption) is gained than the energy expended by life activities, including normal physiological processes and physical exercise. For those who are puzzled as to how they are gaining weight rapidly, maybe you are experiencing other factors that may contribute to weight gain.

          There are certain medications that can cause people to gain weight rapidly. According to the Obesity Action Coalition, some medicines can make people gain up to several pounds a month as a side effect. Medications that might make people gain weight rapidly include some drugs that treat seizures, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, depression, and psychiatric disorders.

Women who are diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) may find that they gain weight easily around their middle age. Stacy Sampson stated that PCOS causes the ovaries to produce abnormally high levels of male sex hormones. Although there is no cure for PCOS, doctors can recommend lifestyle changes, such as exercising more and eating a healthy diet, which may reduce symptoms. Hormonal medications can also help control symptoms.

          According to Jillian Kubala of Healthline, a person may also gain weight if they consume too many highly processed foods. These include sugary cereals, fast food, and microwave dinners, which pack a slew of harmful ingredients, as well as added sugars, preservatives, and unhealthy fats. Moreover, numerous studies link highly processed food to weight gain, in addition to rising obesity rates in the United States and around the world based on a study conducted by Jennifer M. Pot et al. Thus, you should consider cutting out processed meals and snacks, focusing instead on whole foods.

          In addition, regularly downing sugary foods and beverages, such as candy, cakes, soda, sports drinks, ice cream, iced tea, and sweetened coffee drinks, can easily increase your waistline. Many studies revealed that sugar intake may not only lead to weight gain but can also increase the risk of chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. A study conducted by Karimé González et al last 2017, shows that inactivity is a common contributor to weight gain and chronic diseases. Working a desk job, watching TV, driving, and using a computer or phone are all considered as sedentary activities.

          According to Angela Spivey, insufficient sleep also contributes to weight gain among other negative effects. Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. As such, increasing your sleep time may aid weight loss. If you have poor sleep quality, you can try limiting screen time before bed, reducing your caffeine intake, and going to sleep at a consistent time.

         Chronic stress is a common problem that can affect your weight. High levels of the stress hormone called cortisol have been shown to increase hunger and your desire for highly palatable, calorie-dense foods, which can cause weight gain. Studies indicate that people with obesity have higher cortisol levels than those without this condition.

          Indeed, many factors can contribute to unintentional weight gain. Poor sleep, sedentary activities, and eating too much processed or sugary foods are just some of the habits that may increase your health risk. However, there are simple ways that can help you reach your weight loss goals and improve your overall health such as mindful eating, exercise, and focusing on whole foods. You have the options laid. Just choose the right one.

PNFP-ZDS Marie Claire A. Gaas

 

References:

  • Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Beth Sissons on April 3, 2019

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by Beth Sissons on April 3, 2019

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324872

  • Weight Gain

Aim for a healthy weight". National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US National Institutes of Health. 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.

  • 9 Reasons You May Be Gaining Weight Unintentionally

Written by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD on October 7, 2019 — Medically reviewed by Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN (Ice)

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/unintentional-weight-gain

  • Ultra-processed Food Intake and Obesity: What Really Matters for Health – Processing or Nutrient Content?

Jennifer M. Poti, PhD, Bianca Braga, MA,  and Bo Qin, PhD

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5787353/

  • Resolved: there is sufficient scientific evidence that decreasing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption will reduce the prevalence of obesity and obesity-related diseases

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23763695/

  • Physical Inactivity, Sedentary Behavior and Chronic Diseases

Karimé González, Jorge Fuentes, and José Luis Márquez

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5451443/

  • Lose Sleep, Gain Weight: Another Piece of the Obesity Puzzle

Angela Spivey: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831987/