Ladies Do You Know Why You Gain Weight?

Women may want to blame genetics or a slow metabolism for weight gain, but putting on extra pounds is usually due to lifestyle factors. Understanding why you gain weight may help you figure out ways to lose weight in the long run. Weight gain in women is not inevitable.

Significance

Women who are overweight are at an increased risk of developing chronic conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends finding out your body mass index—or BMI—which is a measurement of the ratio of your weight to your height. You are considered overweight if your BMI is above 25 and obese if you rank higher than 30. Ask your doctor, or check out a BMI calculator online to see where you fall. The size of your abdomen is also of special concern. Mayoclinic.com reports that women who have too much belly fat--defined as a waist size of 35 inches or greater--are at an increased risk of developing heart disease, breast cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, gallbladder problems, high blood pressure and colorectal cancer.

Factors

As women age, the metabolism naturally slows and results in a loss of muscle mass and an increase in body fat. Poor dietary choices contribute to weight gain in women of all ages. Foods high in refined flours, excessive sugar, too much alcohol and saturated and trans fats add calories and minimal satiation and nutrition. Stress, inactivity and lack of sleep also contribute to weight gain.

Considerations

Even if you stick to healthy, whole foods, educate yourself on proper portion sizes. Too much of any food, even healthy varieties, can make you pile on the pounds. Stress can come through many channels, not just work. Family concerns, overloaded schedules and self-esteem issues can cause your body to pump out too much cortisol, which encourages fat accumulation. As you reach menopause, weight gain is more likely--if you are overweight when you are young, you will likely gain more weight as you age unless you make an effort to reduce your size.

Medical Concerns

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland in the neck produces an inadequate amount of the hormone that regulates your metabolism and can cause weight gain. Cushing’s syndrome is a condition in which the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, which can cause fat accumulation in the upper back, belly and face. Depression may also cause excessive weight gain. Certain prescription medications can also cause weight gain. If you suspect your weight gain is due to a medical condition, consult your physician.

Misconceptions

If you seek to lose weight by replacing full-sugar foods with artificial sweeteners, you may be sabotaging yourself. According to a Purdue University study in a 2008 issue of Behavioral Neuroscience, consuming products containing artifical sweeteners--like aspratame or sucralose--can lead to weight gain because they interfere with taste and hormone regulation. Going on a starvation diet is also not a solution to your weight gain. The National Institutes of Health warn against dipping below 1,200 calories a day. Your body will sense it is starving and the lack of calories may lead to fatigue and nutritional deficiencies.

Written By: Andrea Cespedes