In This Article

Overview

Weight gain is a complex process influenced by various factors, including nutritional intake, energy expenditure, and lifestyle choices. It can result from a sustained imbalance of energy intake over energy expenditure, leading to overweight and obesity. In this article, we will uncover the causes, symptoms, and treatment for weight gain.

What Are The Causes, Symptoms & Treatment of Weight Gain?
Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Of Weight Gain - Shutterstock Image

Causes of weight gain are many, ranging from natural to artificial. In cases where one’s body experiences hormone imbalance, the chances of weight gain are heightened. But it is also good to understand that you can gain weight inadvertently. This is mainly associated with too much calorie intake.

There are also various types of drugs that, if used anyhow, can lead to overweight. Besides, weight gain that occurs inadvertently could be the result of certain health complications. In this case, sudden and brisk weight gain may be due to high levels of body fluid retention.

The media, on the other hand, plays a major role in promoting these unhealthy practices as it portrays a lean body as idyllic, making most teens strive to achieve that kind of physique. As much as excessive exercise and underfeeding can be helpful, they can also have negative effects on your health.

Symptoms of Weight Gain

Weight gain can be due to several reasons. Here are some symptoms that you can notice while gaining weight:

  • Changes in fat distribution:
    Weight gain can lead to alterations in how fat is distributed across the body. This may result in increased fat deposits in specific areas, affecting the overall shape of the body.
  • Changes in weight:
    Weight gain itself is a symptom. Individuals experiencing weight gain may notice a significant increase in their overall body mass.
  • Increased waist circumference:
    As weight accumulates, particularly around the abdominal area, it can lead to an expanded waist circumference. This increase may contribute to health risks associated with abdominal obesity.
  • Abdominal pain and bloating:
    Excessive weight gain might cause abdominal discomfort and bloating. The pressure from increased fat deposits in the abdominal region can lead to feelings of fullness and pain.
  • Swelling of the limbs, face, and abdomen:
    Weight gain can cause fluid retention, leading to swelling in various parts of the body. Swelling may be noticeable in the limbs, face, and abdomen, indicating potential underlying health issues.
  • Shortness of breath:
    Excess weight can strain the respiratory system, making it more challenging to breathe. Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities, may be a symptom of weight-related complications or obesity-related conditions.[1]

Causes of Weight Gain

There are several other inside reasons apart from overeating that can cause weight gain. Take a look the following reasons to understand the reasons behind weight gain.

Inadvertent Weight Gain: Digestive causes

There are times when one experiences weight gain without actually noticing it, and it becomes a health concern when it emerges that the cause of this weight gain is due to indigestion. At this point, it becomes necessary to alter your eating habits and start doing some exercise that might reverse the situation.

Feeding on a fresh, whole diet is very important if you want to maintain a healthy body weight and also improve the digestion process. Ideal foods that can help maintain a healthy body weight are those that contain high levels of both insoluble and soluble fiber. They include fresh fruits and vegetables such as jicama, oranges, kale, berries, carrots, watercress, grapefruits, celery, and apples. Although fiber and water increase the bulk of your foods, they lower their calorie content.

Fiber and moisture combine to control your bowels and, at the same time, ease constipation in your digestive system. If this doesn’t improve your condition and the indigestion problem persists, seek medical advice. The doctor may suggest a tailored diet plan to reverse the condition.

Ease constipation

Digestive causes – Shutterstock Image

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system plays a vital role in the control of the entire mechanism in the body. This is rather a complex and fine-tuned system that coordinates all the activities in the body and the reactions to both external and internal environmental changes.[2]

It influences weight, growth, height, metabolism, growth of hair and bones, pregnancy and production of milk in the breast, menstrual periods, sexual activities, behavior, and personality.

Chemicals and hormones produced by the endocrine glands and then released into the bloodstream help control the actions of various body organs and tissues and their functioning.

The endocrine glands work closely with specific organs to efficiently regulate the flow and ebb of hormones in order for the activities (glandular) in the body to remain constant. However, there are cases when the endocrine system tends to release less or high levels of hormones; this, in turn, results in hormone imbalances in the body.

Urinary Weight Gain Causes

When any disorder occurs in the urinary system, kidney diseases such as peripheral edema and kidney failure, which are associated with weight gain, can occur. Renal or kidney failure is a term used to refer to either permanent or temporary damage to the kidneys, resulting in their dysfunction.

There are 2 types of kidney failures: chronic (this exhibits a slow progression over a long time and may result in the permanent failure of the kidney) and acute, which occurs abruptly but is reversible.

Drugs

Although it is not well established as to what triggers weight gain after dosing on some drugs, it is good to note that some of these drugs increase your appetite, make the body retain fluids, or, with time, can lead to a gradual weight gain attributable to reduced body activity and fatigue.

Most drugs that increase appetite affect the satiety center of the brain. However, it is sometimes hard to differentiate between weight gains resulting from a lack of exercise, diet, or drugs, as the process takes time before you realize the changes.

To stop taking any medication should, therefore, be suggested by a doctor since there are some that may need to be tapered slowly, and any attempt to quit abruptly can result in adverse side effects.

Lack of Enough Sleep

When you sleep for fewer hours, your chances of registering reduced leptin levels increase. Leptin is an important protein that controls and regulates appetite.[3]

Reduced leptin levels increase appetite, hence weight gain. It is also possible for your appetite to increase because of the reaction of the mind to both hunger and sleepiness.

Hunger and sleepiness cause similar psychological feelings. People tend to think that their low energy levels are triggered by hunger when in the actual sense it is sleepiness.

Age

It is obvious that as we advance in age, our physical capabilities decrease, resulting in low body metabolic rates, hence weight gain.

The changes that occur psychologically as age advances influence the body’s general composition and the functioning of the heart and lungs (cardiopulmonary). This reduces one’s ability to perform tasks and exercises that could help with weight loss.

Stress and Weight Gain

Stress and Weight Gain

Stress and Weight Gain – Shutterstock Image

Stress can trigger weight gain in various ways, and one of the reasons is associated with a stress hormone, cortisol. When stressed, there is a flight response in the body, which in turn leads to the release of a variety of hormones.

To counter this reaction, the body experiences depletion in energy, changes in the metabolic process, and changes in blood flow, among other changes that trigger weight gain.

Menopausal Weight Gain

Menopause is an aspect of life that cannot be avoided. Women between 40 and 50 exhibit low levels of estrogen, resulting in ovulation stoppage. During this period, a woman exhibits various symptoms that make life quite unbearable.

One of the common menopause symptoms is weight gain, which occurs around the waistline and also in the abdominal region—the most unfavorable areas to gain weight for most women. Weight gain during menopause has negative effects on both the health and self-esteem of a woman.

Effects of Television on your weight

Triggers Drugs

Causes of Weight Gain – Shutterstock Image

Various studies associate obesity with prolonged hours of watching TV. Women are more susceptible to weight gain if they watch TV for a prolonged period of time as compared to men.[4]

This is attributed to the fact that people will tend to go for the foods (not the best) being advertised rather than the healthy natural foods.

Ration Sizes

Eating large quantities of foods can result in weight gain, especially if the meals contain increased levels of calories. It is therefore important to reduce your ration in order to stay healthy. Review your lifestyle to regulate your body weight. Alcohol has been known to provide the body with energy, and if ingested excessively, it results in weight gain. Smoking, too, can result in a number of diseases associated with obesity.

Weight Gain Treatment

There are various practices that can help you to control your weight and avoid gaining.

Physical Activity:

Regular physical activity is essential for preventing weight gain. Engaging in aerobic exercises, such as walking, running, swimming, or cycling, can help burn calories and maintain a healthy weight.
Strength training exercises, like weightlifting or bodyweight exercises, can also help build muscle, which in turn can increase metabolism and aid in weight management.

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week.[5]

Dietary Tracking:

Keeping a food diary or using a mobile app to track food intake can provide valuable insights into eating habits and calorie consumption. This practice can help identify areas for improvement, such as excessive snacking, large portion sizes, or the consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods.

By becoming more aware of eating patterns, individuals can make informed decisions about their dietary choices and portion sizes, which can contribute to preventing weight gain.

Self-Management Strategies

Self-management techniques, including goal setting, self-monitoring, problem-solving, and relapse prevention, are effective tools for preventing weight gain. Setting realistic and achievable goals, monitoring progress, identifying potential obstacles, and developing strategies to overcome challenges can empower individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes. These strategies can help individuals stay on track with their weight management goals and prevent gradual weight gain over time.

Dietary Strategies

Implementing specific dietary strategies can help prevent weight gain. Choosing nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats—known as fat burning foods—can provide essential nutrients while helping to control calorie intake.

Portion control, mindful eating, and reducing the consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and beverages can also contribute to weight management.

Additionally, staying hydrated and being mindful of liquid calorie intake, such as sugary drinks and alcohol, can support efforts to prevent weight gain.

Lifestyle Habits

Lifestyle habits play a significant role in weight management. Making healthier food choices, being physically active, and reducing sedentary behaviors can help prevent weight gain. Incorporating more movement into daily routines, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking or biking instead of driving for short trips, and finding enjoyable physical activities, can contribute to overall energy expenditure. Additionally, reducing screen time and limiting prolonged periods of sitting or lying down can support efforts to prevent weight gain.

Medication Management

Some medications can contribute to weight gain as a side effect. Being aware of the potential impact of certain medications on weight can help individuals make informed decisions about their health. It is important to discuss any concerns about medication-related weight changes with a healthcare provider. In some cases, alternative medications or strategies to mitigate weight gain may be available, and healthcare professionals can provide guidance on managing medication-related weight concerns.[6]

By incorporating these detailed strategies into their daily lives, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent weight gain and promote overall health and well-being.

Read more: The ultimate checklist to keto diet foods

Conclusion

Weight gain is a multifaceted phenomenon impacted by diverse factors. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments is paramount for overall health maintenance. Ranging from dietary practices to lifestyle decisions, several elements contribute to the fluctuations in weight.

Research underscores the pivotal role of alterations in diet and lifestyle in long-term weight gain. Moreover, factors such as hormonal birth control, medication usage, and contemporary living styles can lead to swift weight gain.

Understanding behavioral aspects like eating habits, sleep patterns, stress levels, and exercise is crucial for crafting effective weight management strategies. Whether individuals seek weight gain for health or aspire to manage weight, exploring nutrient-rich foods can help in achieving a well-balanced and nourished body.

During specific life stages, such as menopause, hormonal shifts can impact weight distribution, highlighting the need for personalized weight management approaches in different phases of life.

Was this article helpful?

6 Sources

We review published medical research in respected scientific journals to arrive at our conclusions about a product or health topic. This ensures the highest standard of scientific accuracy.

[1] Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html
[2] Overview of the Endocrine System : https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/overview-endocrine-system
[3] Physiology, Leptin: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537038/
[4] Effect of Television on Obesity and Excess of Weight and Consequences of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4555288/
[5] How much physical activity do you need?: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-infographic
[6] Drugs That Affect Body Weight, Body Fat Distribution, and Metabolism: https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537590/
Author
linkedin

Melissa Feldman

Melissa Feldman is an independent research writer living in Toronto, Canada. She has professional experience as a researcher, and educa