The cause of weight gain is not always a mystery. But often it is not clear. Such as hormonal problems.
In this report, we present 12 hidden reasons for weight gain:
1- Medicines
Weight gain is a side effect of many medications. The most common medications that can cause weight gain include: steroids, antipsychotic medications, and insulin.
However, never stop taking prescribed medications unless your doctor tells you to. If you’re concerned about weight gain, talk to your doctor.
2- Lack of sleep
Sleep is essential for physical and mental health. Some research suggests that lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain, by accumulating body fat, and making you feel hungry.
In one study of healthy men, just two hours of sleep deprivation led to them craving sugar and eating more of it. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, and take steps to remedy the situation if this is not the case.
3- Foods labeled “low-fat”
Many foods are labeled “low-fat,” but actually contain high levels of sugar.
Foods high in sugar also contain a lot of calories and can lead to weight gain.
4- Pressure
When you’re under stress, or feeling depressed, your body releases the stress hormone called cortisol and your appetite increases, sparking food cravings and tempting you to reach for sugary snacks.
Instead, choose fruits and vegetables for your snacks, and other low-calorie options; Such as: plain popcorn, cookies, and rice cakes.
To prevent stress from sabotaging your efforts to lose or maintain weight, find ways to cope with stressful situations that are not related to food, for example. Exercise, deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
5- Inactivity
Sitting for long periods, for example watching a lot of TV, or sitting for hours in front of the computer, can make it difficult to control weight.
While sitting, many of us consume calories that we do not need, and find it very easy to eat energy-dense foods; Such as: potato chips and chocolate.
If you’re concerned about your weight, engage in more daily physical activity, try walking to work, school, or the store, and spend less time in front of the TV or computer.
6- Not paying attention to the portion size
Over the past few decades, the size of portions served in restaurants has increased. A study found that the size of burgers, for example, has doubled since 1980.
Not surprisingly, research shows that when we are given a larger portion, we tend to eat more.
Eat slowly, and you’ll have a better chance of feeling full. At home, serve yourself a smaller portion, and consider whether you really want a second portion.
7- Age
Your metabolism slows down as you get older, so it’s natural for your body to burn fewer calories. Aging also brings about lifestyle changes, and you may find that you exercise less.
Therefore, many people make more of an effort to exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet as they age.
8- Muscle loss
Aging also brings “physiological” changes that can affect weight. The most important of which is muscle loss. Starting in middle age, we lose about 1% of muscle mass per year, which affects strength and metabolism (how quickly calories are burned).
Smaller muscles use fewer calories. If your diet does not change, you will consume more calories than you need. The excess is stored as fat.
9- Sexual hormone changes
Older men and women experience a decrease in certain sex hormones. In women, low estrogen levels are associated with sleep problems and increased body fat. In men, low testosterone levels are associated with decreased muscle mass.
10- Hypothyroidism
Thyroid hormones play an essential role in metabolism, and a decrease in them makes you burn fewer calories, thus increasing your risk of gaining weight.
11- Eating late at night
One hidden possibility of weight gain is eating late at night. Some evidence, including a 2022 Harvard University study, suggests that eating late at night may make us hungrier in the day, slow our metabolism, and increase body fat.
12- The intestinal microbiome
Another suspected factor in weight gain is the number of microbes living in your gut (their genes are called the microbiome). Considerable evidence suggests that gut microbes may influence appetite, metabolism, blood sugar, and fat storage. The strongest support comes from animal studies. In humans, the evidence is less clear.
Studies have found that the gut microbiome of obese people is different from that of lean people, but we don’t know if this is why people become obese. It is possible that people who are genetically programmed to gain weight have a specific microbiome.
2023-10-02 18:57:19
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