Diet Bites Logo

Doctor, Doctor
Causes of Natural Weight Gain

Written by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites

Where does weight gain come from? Is it just from overeating?

If you are experiencing weight gain, you may assume that the culprit is overeating. If the weight was gained over a long period of time, or occurred shortly after holiday or vacation feasting - then that assumption is likely correct.

However, if the weight gain occurred within a short time frame, other issues could be responsible.

It's important to note that there are different types of weight gain - or perhaps this is better stated as 'different categories'.

Causes of Natural Weight Gain

Natural weight gain occurs due to overeating. Another type of weight gain that occurs naturally is weight gained amid pregnancy. And weight gain associated with women's monthly cycles - or that minute amount of extra weight due to the milk production of the lactating mother.

Another example of natural weight gain is associated with excessive sodium (salt) content.

Salt is notorious for holding water within the body - and of course, if you have ever picked up a gallon of water, it's pretty heavy. It may take several days before the imprisoned water is released naturally from the body.

As a note, not all individuals are effected by excessive sodium consumption - but for those who are, particularly those with heart issues, too much sodium in the diet presents grave health risks.

If you are an ageing adult - you may need to step up the activity or trim calories from the diet. As the body continues to age, the metabolic rate naturally slows - in some of us, to a painful crawl. Therefore, because it is not as efficient in burning calories (energy) as it was in its youthful years, weight gain will occur if daily calories aren't balanced with wise food choices and activity.

Weight Gain That is Not the Result of Natural Causes

The other category for weight gain is imbalances within the body which trigger the weight gain. Those may include any of the following health conditions - which may be hidden:

- Diabetes

- Thyroid imbalance OR hormone imbalance, including Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Acromegaly, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in women.

- Anxiety & Depression can also trigger weight gain as the individual seeks comfort via food. In addition, an individual suffering from depression may tend to rest and sleep more, choosing to escape life itself. A lack of activity combined with too many calories in the daily diet triggers weight gain.

- Cushing's Syndrome: a condition where the adrenal glands which rest on top of the kidneys create excessive cortisol, a steroid hormone. Weight gain typically occurs in the face, abdomen and upper back of the body.

Other diseases - some fatal, which may be responsible for weight gain include: pancreatic tumors, liver disease, kidney failure, kidney disease resulting in edema, heart failure, eating disorders, pituitary tumor & Hypopituitarism.

Drugs may also cause an increase in weight. These include birth control pills, antidepressants, tranquilizers, corticosteroids, tricyclics (generally given for anxiety disorders), lithium and even insulin.

Corticosteroids in particular may cause a few pounds of weight gain to over 100 pounds and require close patient monitoring by a professional health giver.

In Summary

It's always a great idea to get in touch with your personal doctor or nutritionist before jumping into any weight loss program, particularly one that is too restrictive in caloric content, fat content and carbohydrate grams.  If for nothing else, to rule out hidden conditions that may be contributing to weight gain. 

And finally, too much change in the pockets can also cause temporary weight gain - the best type hands down, right?

 

Related Articles

Ideal Body Weight | Diet Binge

Time to Lose 20, 30+ Pounds

Weight Gain Causes | Weight Loss Plan

Diet Bites  |  Site Disclaimers

Diet Bites is a Trademark