Why we are gaining weight: reasons for weight gain not related to nutrition and their signs

Not so long ago, there was an opinion that excess weight is an annoying and unaesthetic inconvenience, that excess fat deposited in the body is not necessarily associated with hormonal imbalances in the body, but is only an unattractive evidence of diet errors. In fact, excess weight, leading to obesity, is very dangerous, since in most cases it causes many serious diseases. There is no reason to believe that overeating will only affect your appearance. In healthy people who do not have major problems with body weight, chronic diseases are much less common.

The vast majority of doctors believe that obesity can lead to diabetes mellitus, worsen cardiac activity and vascular function, and also provide the patient with hypertension and joint problems. Of course, excess weight is the reason for a decrease in the quality of life, and this problem requires medical intervention, because adipose tissue is not only a subcutaneous layer, but also a “cushion” that grows on internal organs and makes it difficult for them to function properly.

New methods of losing weight and returning patients to a full life are now more relevant than ever. Excess weight problems are common throughout the globe. This is not only a concern for the fair half of humanity, which has always been preoccupied with its figure. Now the percentage of the male population suffering from obesity has increased, and we can already talk about the scale of the epidemic. Research shows that the average life expectancy of men is reduced by 8-12 years compared to women. Moreover, excess body weight in men is much more difficult to treat than in women. The development of obesity progresses, primarily leading to inhibition of the heart and blood vessels. It is quite difficult to get rid of excess weight using traditional methods; new research and methods should come to the rescue.

How hormones affect weight

The metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is regulated by hormones. It can accelerate due to the excessive influence of some of them or, conversely, slow down, which leads to the accumulation of excess adipose tissue. It has its own hormonal activity. It synthesizes leptin. Normally, it acts on the hunger center in the hypothalamus and suppresses appetite and reduces the amount of food consumed. But with excess weight, sensitivity to this hormone decreases or its structure changes.

Other parts of the endocrine system are gradually involved in the pathological process. Therefore, the growth of adipose tissue in the abdomen is a multifactorial pathology.

Reasons for rapid weight gain in older women

As women age, they face a certain problem – unreasonable weight gain. This is explained by a slowdown in metabolism, and a restructuring of the hormonal system also occurs, which is quite normal during this period of life.

The rapid gain of extra pounds after the age of 30 occurs due to reduced physical activity and an incorrectly structured diet, leading to obesity.

1. Figure changes associated with age. Weight gain occurs because the calories coming from food begin to be consumed more slowly. This leads to the deposition of fat in problematic areas for women, such as the stomach, back and thighs.
2. Menopause. Every woman will face this phenomenon sooner or later. Changes caused by menopause can be especially noticeable. The increase can be up to 10 kg. During this period, you should take full responsibility for your lifestyle. With regular physical activity and proper nutrition, weight gain will be insignificant.
3. The influence of hormones. After 30 years, a gradual restructuring of the female body occurs. The ovaries slow down their functions, and the production of sex hormones is noticeably reduced. In this case, the sudden appearance of extra pounds is inevitable even with an active lifestyle. The fight against fat deposits should not be postponed until later, as every year it will be more and more difficult to lose weight. If a woman consumes high-calorie foods high in carbohydrates and unhealthy fats, she may develop obesity.
4. The role of testosterone. Testosterone is a male sex hormone found in the female body in low concentration. If at a young age it helps in building muscle and burning fat, then with age its amount begins to rapidly decrease. This leads to a decrease in the activity of metabolic processes and, accordingly, a rapid gain of extra pounds. In addition to testosterone, changes in figure are influenced by other male hormones - androgens. Their concentration increases, which leads to the accumulation of adipose tissue in problematic female areas.
5. Nutrition and physical activity. If during the transition period a woman begins to carefully monitor her diet, then the weight gain will be insignificant. It is worth excluding foods high in carbohydrates and fats from your diet, and making your diet based on protein foods, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats in moderate quantities. We must not forget about physical activity. It is recommended to start the morning with exercises, move more and, if possible, visit the gym or work out at home.

Obesity with hypercortisolism

With excessive synthesis of adrenal hormones, a special type of obesity develops, in which the volume of the abdomen increases. Fat is deposited in the chest and shoulders, the face becomes moon-shaped, but the limbs remain thin. This condition is called hypercortisolism, one of its manifestations is Itsenko-Cushing's disease. The causes of the pathological condition are as follows:

• adrenal tumor or benign hyperplasia;
• tumor of the anterior pituitary gland;
• tumors of other locations that secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH);
• long-term treatment with glucocorticoids.

Some types of lung tumors, carcinoma of the digestive system, cancer of the thyroid gland, and thymus lead to the formation of the abdomen. ACTH or its precursors are secreted in their cells.

ACTH is a universal participant in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Its excess accelerates the breakdown of proteins, so muscle weakness develops and muscle volume decreases. Arms and legs begin to lose weight. Adrenal hormones stimulate the formation of insulin receptors in the adipose tissue of the body and enhance its synthesis. The body begins to actively store lipids.

Sodium retention in the kidneys is stimulated and calcium metabolism is disrupted. The consequences are tissue swelling and bone osteoporosis.

Increased androgen levels

In women, androgens are produced in the body in the adrenal cortex and in the ovarian follicles. They are precursors of estrogens. But with pathology of the reproductive organs, hormonal disruption can occur, which will lead to obesity. A common cause of androgen hyperproduction is polycystic ovary syndrome. In this case, the follicles enlarge, but due to the dense capsule they do not rupture. The woman does not ovulate and does not menstruate.

Other symptoms associated with hormone imbalance develop:

• insulin resistance – cells lose sensitivity to insulin and cannot process glucose;
• hirsutism - increased hair growth on the arms, legs, face, back;
• acne and oily seborrhea on the face and scalp;
• infertility.

Insulin resistance and metabolic disorders can lead to the development of cardiovascular complications, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

Excess fluid in the body

Excess fluid content in the body can initiate the gain of extra pounds. Water accumulates in the cells and between them, which provokes the appearance of edema, cellulite, and the accumulation of excess weight. You can determine the presence of edema by resorting to the simplest procedure: press on the skin with your finger and release. If after pressing there is a dimple left, this means that swelling is present. Every woman is familiar with this problem. Before the onset of menstruation, all representatives of the fair sex experience swelling, which goes away without treatment with the onset of menstruation.

However, if swelling bothers you constantly, then this indicates quite serious pathologies. The cause may be cardiovascular disease or kidney problems. Untimely treatment of these pathologies can lead to disability and sometimes death. Accordingly, if you undergo a course of treatment and eliminate swelling, then your weight will quickly return to normal. The reasons for sudden weight gain in women at 25 years old may differ from those in women who are over 40-50 years old. People under 25 years of age have a very good metabolism, but with age, against the background of hormonal changes in the body, all processes, including metabolic ones, slow down. Therefore, it may be more difficult for a woman aged 35-40 to lose weight.

Thyroid dysfunction

Consequences in the form of belly fat deposition may be associated with insufficient thyroid function. This condition is called hypothyroidism. It is accompanied by a decrease in the synthesis of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The T3 hormone should enhance the processing of lipids by the liver and reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Both hormones stimulate glucose consumption by muscle tissue and heat consumption by the body. In a state of hypothyroidism, the following changes are observed:

• basal metabolism decreases, the body slowly consumes energy;
• fat storage increases, it is distributed in the abdominal and body areas;
• blood cholesterol levels increase;
• fluid retention increases.

The formation of a hormonal belly is also associated with an increase in the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone. It is produced by the pituitary gland and is aimed at stimulating the thyroid gland. But a large number of receptors for it are present in adipocyte precursor cells. Therefore, the belly grows not due to the accumulation of large amounts of fat, but due to the formation of new fat cells. Getting rid of such deposits is much more difficult.

Treatment

Help before diagnosis

If your weight fluctuates slightly and there is no malaise, it is enough to change your lifestyle and eating habits. You need to minimize the amount of table salt and fast carbohydrates you consume, eat frequently and in small portions. Sports training should be regular and correspond to the functional capabilities of the body. If fluctuations in body weight are combined with other symptoms or worsening symptoms, you should see a doctor.

Regular physical activity is the key to stable weight

Conservative therapy

Medical tactics depend on the cause of the jump in body weight. Often, non-drug interventions are sufficient: diet therapy, selection of an optimal training regimen, physiotherapeutic methods. Medicines are used for serious illnesses accompanied by weight changes. The treatment regimen usually includes pharmaceuticals such as:

• Cardiotropic drugs
  . If the pumping function of the heart is insufficient, cardiac glycosides, vasodilators and diuretics are indicated. Medicines reduce preload and afterload on the myocardium, improve blood circulation and reduce the severity of edema.
• ACE inhibitors
  . The drugs make weight fluctuations less noticeable by lowering aldosterone levels and slowing down fluid retention in the body. In case of side effects, ACE inhibitors can be replaced with angiotensin receptor antagonists.
• Antidepressants
  . For prolonged stress and chronic fatigue syndrome, it is necessary to prescribe selective serotonin receptor agonists. This allows you to improve the emotional background and normalize the processes of autonomic nervous regulation.

Hypothalamic type of obesity

The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are neuroendocrine organs that produce hormones that stimulate other parts of the endocrine system:

• adrenal glands;
• thyroid gland;
• ovaries;
• testes in men.

If damage to the brain center occurs, the regulation of the production of peripheral hormones is disrupted, and obesity may develop. Pregnancy can be one of the risk factors if childbirth takes place with large blood loss. This leads to damage to the pituitary gland structures and death of hormone-producing cells. The consequence is Sheehan syndrome, which is manifested by the following symptoms:

• increase in fat in the abdomen, chest and shoulders;
• weight loss of limbs;
• swelling of the body;
• osteoporosis;
• menstrual irregularities;
• infertility;
• early menopause

Obesity associated with damage to the pituitary gland can develop after head injuries, encephalitis, and due to tumor metastases. It is associated with a violation of the formation of the feeling of hunger; such women cannot withstand a long break between meals.

Hunger and satiety also depend on the level of neurotransmitters.

With increased production of dopamine and endorphins, appetite increases, and with a lack of serotonin, norepinephrine, and somatostatin, it is suppressed.

Hyperinsulinism

Hormonal belly can develop due to excess insulin synthesis. This condition is observed in patients with type 2 diabetes, when the cells are resistant to the pancreatic hormone. But they don't get glucose, so the body tries to increase its delivery by increasing insulin levels.

If an excess of carbohydrates enters the body, insulin stimulates lipogenesis - the formation of fats. At the same time, it suppresses the breakdown of fats in the liver and subcutaneous tissue. With insulin resistance, these mechanisms are enhanced several times. Fat distribution occurs throughout the body, but to a greater extent in the abdominal area.

Hyperinsulinism often leads to other endocrine pathologies. In women, the level of cortisol and adrenaline increases. Therefore, complications from other organ systems are often added.

Neoplasm

Sometimes weight gain occurs due to the appearance of tumors in the abdominal cavity. Such diseases do not happen so often, but you should not lose sight of this scenario. The development of a tumor in this case is provoked by so-called dermoids, consisting of various types of tissue. They grow very quickly and actively reproduce in the abdominal cavity. In some cases, the neoplasms resulted in a weight gain of more than 30 kg. The slightest disproportionate increase in tissue in the abdominal area should alert you and be a reason to consult a doctor.

Diet and treatments

You can get rid of the symptoms of obesity with an integrated approach. A preliminary diagnosis is carried out aimed at identifying the causative factors. An endocrinologist will tell you how to eliminate the manifestations of obesity.

To normalize the intake of nutrients, a diet is prescribed. The following foods are limited in the diet:

• sugar, any sweets;
• flour, baking;
• fatty foods;
• salt;
• spicy, smoked, fried foods;
• fast food.

The basis of the diet should be vegetables and fruits, fermented milk products, lean meat and cereals. Proper nutrition is complemented by physical activity. It allows you to remove excess fat, improve tissue metabolism and increase energy expenditure.

Drug therapy depends on the type of pathology:

• hypothyroidism – thyroid hormones are prescribed;
• hyperandrogenism caused by polycystic ovary syndrome – clomiphene citrate;
• insulin resistance – metformin;
• deficiency of hypothalamic hormones - replacement therapy.

For tumors that synthesize glucocorticoids, they must be removed surgically or using radiation therapy.

Local deposition of adipose tissue in the area of ​​the anterior abdominal wall and sides often develops in women as menopause approaches. This is due to inhibition of ovarian function, metabolic disorders and accumulated pathologies of internal organs. Therefore, after 40 years, it is necessary to reduce the total calorie content of the diet and avoid eating harmful foods. If the condition cannot be corrected, you need to consult an endocrinologist and drug treatment that corresponds to the cause of the pathology.

A big belly is a general definition of disharmony in the structure of the body, in which the size of the belly goes beyond natural proportions. It can be larger than the butt, stick out beyond the bust line and completely eliminate the waist.

Typically, this phenomenon is explained by excess fat. Adipose tissue abounds on the waist, sides, back, and rolls down the abdomen. The situation is further complicated by the fact that a significant amount of fat is also deposited inside the intestines, liver, and kidneys. It is called visceral fat.

Diagnostics

In most cases, changes in mass are due to natural causes. If significant daily fluctuations in weight are detected, a consultation with a therapist or family doctor is required. The specialist must collect complaints and anamnesis of the disease in detail, and prescribe clarifying laboratory or instrumental studies. The following diagnostic methods are the most informative:

• Hormonal profile
  . Women need to measure the concentration of estrogen and progesterone on different days of the cycle. The amount of adrenal hormones, which often cause weight fluctuations, is assessed. For detailed diagnosis, the levels of tropic hormones of the pituitary gland and releasing hormones of the hypothalamus are checked.
• Blood test
  . In a general blood test, attention is paid to the level of leukocytes and ESR to exclude chronic inflammatory processes. To assess liver and kidney function, a biochemical blood test is prescribed. Additionally, the blood lipid profile is examined and the ratio of healthy and harmful fats is determined.
• Ultrasound diagnostics
  . Ultrasound is a safe screening method that allows you to identify organic pathology of internal organs. Echocardiography is mandatory to study the contractile function of the left ventricle and ejection fraction. If necessary, duplex scanning of the renal arteries is performed.

Natural causes of belly fat in women

The first thing that comes to mind is pregnancy. An unexpected surprise befalls both young girls and women over fifty who have long given up on their menopause. Therefore, if you suddenly lose weight, a pregnancy test is the first thing to do.

With body types with an emphasis on the stomach, you will have to control your weight throughout your life. Sweet baked goods, chocolate, sweets, creams - maximum once or twice a week. Fatty meat - no. Bread is only black, grain and to a minimum. Abdominal strengthening exercises – constantly. It is advisable to visually enlarge your lower body. To do this, use exercises for the legs and buttocks.

How poor posture affects belly size

Sometimes the cause of disproportion lies in incorrect posture. A curved spine displaces all internal organs from their places, and they tend outward. There may be no excess weight or it may be insignificant.

Teenagers especially suffer from this problem. Studying at a desk, when you have to sit for a long time and a heavy, heavy briefcase lead schoolchildren to scoliosis. If measures are not taken, this situation continues into adulthood.

And then the young girl or woman suffers with a disproportionately large belly and tries different diets to no avail. In this case, any abdominal exercises are useless.

You need to work on your posture and strengthen your back muscles. In such cases, the first recommendation of orthopedists is to go to the pool. Swimming is very good at correcting minor deviations in the spine. Water relieves some of the stress and brings the vertebrae to their correct natural position. In this case, the effect is consolidated and fixed with the help of muscles pumped up during swimming.

Fitness will also be useful. You just need to focus not only on the press, but also on the back. Strong, properly formed muscles create a muscular corset, which holds the spine in the desired position. Then the internal organs, and after them the stomach, will take their natural places.

Hormonal imbalances and waist size

Hormonal imbalances contribute to obesity. Thyroid hormones are responsible for the breakdown of fatty acids. Their deficiency or excess leads to metabolic disorders. Fats are not broken down and settle on the stomach, thighs and other parts of the body.

Check your thyroid gland, maybe do a hormone test. Optimize your nutrition. Saturate it with iodine.

The stress hormone cortisol also affects fatness. The more cortisol produced in the body, the fatter a person will be. On the one hand, the hormone affects the absorption of fats, on the other hand, it affects appetite.

Various troubles force us to eat away our anxiety with a lot of delicious food. Unfortunately, these are rarely apples and cabbage. More often chocolate, baked goods or high-calorie salty foods.

• Drink more. Water reduces the concentration of stress hormones in the blood.
• Take a walk. Walking in clean air increases the amount of pleasure hormones in the body.
• Dance, get yourself another favorite hobby.
• Learn breathing techniques for relaxation and meditation.
• The gym and physical activity also help expend excess adrenaline.

Female stress is characterized by suppression of ovarian function. They stop producing estrogen and progesterone in sufficient quantities. Instead, adrenaline production increases. The body begins to metabolize male fat and store it on the abdomen.

Therefore, you can often determine by a woman’s figure how happy she is in her personal life. A calm woman who feels safe does not have hormonal problems. She doesn't need adrenaline to protect herself.

In case of scandals with a partner, it is possible to reduce the amount of stress, but you will have to act radically. Options: family psychotherapy and leaving the relationship.

As women age, their hormonal levels change. The functions of the ovaries are suppressed. We may start to gain weight. The older a person is, the less caloric his diet should be.

How to get rid of belly fat by adjusting your diet

The most common nutrition mistakes:

• A proper diet contains about 60% vegetables and fruits. These can be fresh salads of greens and vegetables, vinaigrette-type salads, stewed vegetables and stews, fruit salads.
• Be sure to have a sufficient amount of proteins: meat of any kind, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes.
• Varied food. Don't get hung up on any one product or dish. Then today you can easily eat pizza or barbecue, then cabbage and fish or chicken with porridge. There will be no harm to your waistline if you alternate high-fat foods with low-calorie foods.
• Small meals: often, but little by little. This will help keep your stomach at normal size.
• Proper snacks: fruits, nuts, dried fruits, cereal bars, crispbread. Always carry it with you so you don’t have to look for a pie or chocolate in a hurry.
• Steam, boil or bake more. Eat fried food from time to time. Stew properly without a lot of fat. Smoked meats are a delicacy for the holidays.
• Allow yourself unhealthy treats in the first half of the day.
• Use tricks to burn fat: spices, kefir, green tea.
• It is advisable not to eat after 6 pm. Insulin, which is released at this time of day, sends everything to reserve. You can: milk, kefir, apple.
• Love soups.
• Never, ever deprive yourself of your favorite treats. Just eat them in moderation and not too often. Better yet, alternate: this week you will have chocolate, next week you will have cake, then your favorite puff pastry. Otherwise, sooner or later you will fall apart.
• Try to eat healthy carbohydrates and definitely bran bread. Carbohydrates should never be completely eliminated. This is our energy.
• Lightly salted food is preferable to highly salted food. Excess salt retains water and feeds fat cells. If possible, replace regular sea salt.

The less movement, the larger the belly

Physical inactivity is extremely unnatural for the human body. Our body is not designed to sit in an office chair for many hours. This is a huge negative burden on the body.

We don't use up the calories we eat during the day. The muscles gradually atrophy, and the stomach grows. All our food, including healthy proteins and carbohydrates, goes exclusively into fat. Because there is nowhere to spend energy.

Over time, obesity and a large belly are accompanied by vascular dystonia. How else? Congestion in blood vessels during sedentary work is inevitable. And then the desire to move disappears.

It turns out to be a vicious circle: we sit, we gain weight, our blood vessels become contaminated with cholesterol, this makes us want to lie down more, avoid any stress, and we gain weight again.

Office work is not a death sentence. Although this is a serious test. Give yourself some exercise every hour. There are a lot of exercises that allow you to stretch your body well in a short time. These are squats, planks, lunges, bends. This will give your muscles a workout and improve blood circulation.

Walk more. 4-5 km. per day should become the norm. Yes, you will spend an hour of time, but you will burn more than 1000 calories and stretch your entire body. Get more active outdoors. Weekends are not for lying on the couch.

Why does the belly begin to grow after childbirth?

The postpartum period is dangerous for the stomach for two reasons:

1. During pregnancy, the walls of the abdomen stretch and in most cases it is difficult to return to their original place. If the diet is unbalanced, the abdominal cavity quickly becomes overgrown with fat. At the same time, it is not very important how much a young mother eats - her metabolism is still tuned to maximum absorption of nutrients.
2. Lack of sleep leads to overeating - this is a scientific fact. The body compensates for the stress of lack of sleep with enhanced nutrition.

• Special exercises for retracting the abdomen will help, but fitness trainers recommend using them only 6 months after the birth of the child. Unfortunately, by this time you can already acquire a solid tummy.
• If the mother does not breastfeed, it is not difficult to create the right diet. But a nursing woman is quite limited in her choice of products.
• Sleep all your free time. Yes, it's difficult, but no one benefits from an unhappy and tired mom.
• Devote your free time from sleep to walks and physical activity.

She’s thin herself, her belly is big: why?

Sometimes women complain that despite having a slim body, they have a large protruding belly. We are not talking about fat deposits in this case. Abdominal exercises do not give results.

There may be several reasons:

1. Flatulence. Usually occurs with dysbacteriosis. Introduce foods with live bacteria into your diet and the problem will disappear.
2. Intestines clogged with waste. The digestion process is slow, food accumulates in the intestines and the stomach becomes large. It is necessary to cleanse the intestines. To do this, use fiber, pumpkin dishes, and stewed cabbage.
3. Congenital anomaly of the intestine (elongated intestine). You can only correct it with clothes.

Watch your diet, exercise, move more, and be sure to get examined to identify health problems that can cause a big belly.

To the question of why women’s bellies grow, there are several answers, which depend on body characteristics, age-related changes and hormonal changes. A large belly is characterized by excess at the waist, sides and back. In addition to the aesthetic appearance, the health of internal organs deteriorates: liver, kidneys, intestines, since excess deposits impede their work. Therefore, the decision must be immediate.

Other reasons

• Stress can be a factor in weight gain. Some psychological and emotional shocks affect the metabolism and also lead to the so-called problem eating. Especially during such a period, one is drawn to sweets, which consist of simple carbohydrates, leading to fat deposition.
• Strict diets with many restrictions often lead to breakdowns, during which women can gain up to several extra pounds.
• Blood sugar imbalance occurs due to insufficient consumption of plant foods. Replace sweets and other simple carbohydrates with fruits and vegetables, then you will not face weight problems.
• A lack of healthy fats in the diet will lead to disruptions in the hormonal system. With their deficiency, weight begins to increase sharply. In addition to problems with her figure, a woman will face fragility and hair loss, problems with skin and nails.

You need to monitor your weight throughout your life. It is worth remembering that obesity leads to many health problems. The reasons for sudden weight gain in women can be very diverse. Rarely is it causeless. Older women are especially susceptible to this.

The article was checked and approved by Elizaveta Anatolyevna Krizhanovskaya, a practicing family doctor - see the authors of the site

Natural causes of growth

The problem of overweight people is not always overeating and lack of sense of proportion at the dinner table. Often, a bulging belly and excess fat become one of the symptoms of body diseases. But it is awkward and embarrassing to go to a doctor about this, so women and men begin to exhaust themselves with diets, as well as unjustified heavy physical activity, which is contraindicated for them.

To understand whether there is a problem with excess weight, you need to measure your waist circumference and divide the resulting figure by your hip circumference. For women it should be no higher than 0.8, and for men – 1. In addition, if the waist exceeds 80 cm for girls and 94 cm for boys, this is a reason to contact an endocrinologist. In what cases should you consult a doctor?

We recommend reading the article about the causes of excess weight.

Carefully study the nature of the abdomen, the amount of fat and possible health-related reasons:

Another natural factor in body growth is pregnancy. During the development of the baby, the walls stretch and with difficulty return to their original place after childbirth. Especially if the expectant mother has allowed herself gastronomic weaknesses during this period, it is possible that the cavity will quickly become overgrown with a layer of fat.

It is important! Remember that you won’t be able to lose weight quickly after giving birth if you don’t have such a predisposition. The process usually takes 6 – 12 months. Eat a balanced diet. While you are feeding your baby, avoid physical activity, but eat more vegetables and fruits to get the necessary energy and vitamins.

You can also hear from thin girls that they don’t know what to do with a protruding belly. The cause may be flatulence, which occurs due to dysbacteriosis. If the intestines are clogged with toxins, then food accumulates in it, leading to unnecessary rounding. With a congenital anomaly of the intestine (when it is longer than that of a healthy person), there is no solution; the body can only be corrected with the help of clothing.

We recommend reading the article about colon cleansing.

Medical reasons for weight gain

The reasons for rapid weight gain in women may be associated with certain diseases of various systems and organs.

1. Acromegaly is a disease caused by increased synthesis of growth hormone. It causes a slight increase in certain parts of the body. Related manifestations are changes in the skin and facial features, excessive sweating, joint pain, and constant fatigue.
2. Cushing's syndrome is also caused by a disruption in the production of hormones, only corticosteroids. With this pathology, there is a rapid increase in the volume of the shoulder girdle. The face takes on a moon-shaped shape, immunity decreases, and menstruation is disrupted.
3. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that occurs as a result of metabolic disorders. It causes an almost constant feeling of hunger, which leads to weight gain.
4. Heart failure. It usually manifests itself as emaciation, but it can also have the opposite effect. Extra pounds appear due to significant fluid retention, leading to swelling, weakness and shortness of breath.
5. Edema is also caused by some kidney diseases. In severe form, they can lead to a rapid increase in body weight by 2 or even 3 times.
6. Weight gain in pregnant women. This may be manifested by a sudden increase in weight, which is not normal. There is also constant nausea, abdominal pain, and visual disturbances.
7. Sheehan syndrome is a disorder of the pituitary gland, which in pregnant women provokes the development of fatty deposits. Usually occurs during difficult pregnancy.
8. The most common cause of rapid gain in women is a pathology of the thyroid gland - hypothyroidism. It causes a decrease in hormone production, leading to a slowdown in metabolism. If the following symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor: rapid weight gain, rough voice, constant headaches, feeling cold even in normal temperature conditions.

Passive lifestyle

For the human body, sitting for many hours in one place, for example, in a work chair, leads to negative consequences. One of them is an enlarged belly, which can even lead to depression and doubts about one’s own attractiveness.

Why physical inactivity is dangerous:

• The calories that we eat throughout the day do not have time to be consumed, but are converted into fat.
• Congestion in the vessels is inevitable, which leads to dystonia.
• The more you sit still, the less you want to move.

Remember that sedentary work should not completely absorb you. If your health is important to you, do a warm-up every hour. Regular squats, bends and lunges will help fight fat.

We recommend reading the article about a sedentary lifestyle.

Interesting! According to statistics from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in the USA, inactivity significantly reduces life expectancy. Take care of your health and spend more time outdoors.

The problem is that when we return from work, we do not change our lifestyle. Relaxation is associated with a sofa and a TV, or, at most, a kitchen. Frequent snacking has consequences. If you have weak willpower to go to the gym or start exercising at home, get a dog. She will need to be walked regularly, even when she doesn’t feel like it.

Weight gain and medication use

Weight gain is often caused by taking any medications.

1. The female sex hormones contained in birth control pills, including estrogen, can lead to increased appetite and rapid weight gain due to the accumulation of water in the body. In this case, preference should be given to drugs with a low dose of synthetic estrogens, then the risk of gaining excess weight will be significantly reduced.
2. Some antidepressants, according to the results of studies, can cause extra pounds. Experts have not yet identified the exact mechanism of action. Some patients noted that they experienced a constant feeling of hunger. Other people have experienced weight gain while eating the same diet as before taking antidepressants. In this case, changing the drug can help, or better yet, giving it up and solving your psychological problems.
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause water retention in the body. But this can be easily corrected through proper nutrition, maintaining a water-salt regime and adequate physical activity.
4. Anti-allergy medications lead to a calm, peaceful state and drowsiness, which significantly reduces physical activity. This causes an increase in body weight with the same diet.
5. Steroid hormones, when taken over a long period of time, lead to weight gain in most patients. They provoke water retention, sleep disturbances and increased appetite. To avoid such problems, it is worth adjusting your diet, not overeating, and doing more physical activity, for example, walking in the fresh air more often.

Poor nutrition is the enemy of a slim body

If you don't watch your diet, you can quickly gain extra pounds and inches around your waist.

Let's look at common mistakes made in nutrition:

• large portions;
• snacks with high-calorie foods;
• uneven distribution of food per day;
• no breakfast;
• excessive amounts of flour, fried, smoked and sweet foods;
• little fiber.

Every woman seeking to lose weight is familiar with these mistakes. But why are they still allowed? Try to avoid flavor enhancers. They awaken the feeling of hunger. After 1 - 2 weeks, you will learn to enjoy natural products and completely switch to steam cooking and increase your consumption of healthy foods.

Remember! If you have balanced your diet, don’t relax too much. Add physical activity to achieve your desired results and get your body back into shape.

A big mistake is the idea that proper nutrition is monotonous. It doesn’t just consist of chicken breast and buckwheat. You can experiment with any unprocessed foods. Just cook for yourself and finally give up fast food.

Reasons for abdominal growth in women over 40

In adulthood, women are more likely to gain excess weight. Fat is distributed throughout the body, focusing more on the back below the shoulder blades and hips. Of course, nutrition and daily activity play a big role, but when you reach 40, the functioning of the endocrine system is often disrupted, causing the belly to grow.

Please note: The onset of menopause also becomes one of the obvious reasons for sudden weight gain. Menopause contributes to various hormonal diseases. If the muscles were not trained in youth, then with age they become flabby and stretched. The issue especially affects mothers who have repeatedly given birth to children.

Separate attention should be paid to bad habits. They do not provide any health benefits, which is why belly growth is often associated with them.

• Smoking is a mythical way to lose weight. Nicotine and tar contained in a cigarette negatively affect metabolism, which leads to belly growth.
• Alcohol blocks the ability to obtain beneficial components from other foods. Nutrition turns into fat when drinking alcohol.
• Overeating is the worst bad habit. Avoid late dinners and extra servings of pasta. Try not to swallow your excitement. During times of stress, the hormone cortisol is produced, which promotes the accumulation of fat around the stomach.

By the way, about stress. If a woman works often but gets little rest, the body begins to work hard. Over time, disruptions begin that lead to gastrointestinal problems. You need to sleep at least 7 hours, spend more leisure time in the fresh air. If you have suddenly gained weight and are constantly thirsty, this is a cause for concern. Consult your doctor, these may be the first signs of diabetes.

If you notice that your belly has begun to grow, take preventive measures: watch your diet, establish a daily routine, give up bad habits and start playing sports. The recommendations are simple but effective for women of any age.

Hormonal disorders

According to experts, the largest number of cases of sudden weight gain occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance caused by some disease. Such a picture can, for example, be observed with polycystic ovary syndrome. A sharp jump in the level of the male hormone testosterone, provoked by the disease, is the cause of sudden weight gain in women. Which doctor should I contact? This question interests many, because self-medication is impossible. To get started, make an appointment with a gynecologist. If polycystic disease is eliminated, weight can be returned to normal, but not immediately.

We will consider the reasons for sudden weight gain in women at the age of 25 below.

It is also necessary to remember about the early diagnosis of diseases of this kind. If you notice some symptoms (hair loss and fragility, the appearance of hair in unusual places, acne, irregular menstrual cycle, inability to get pregnant), you should consult a doctor. In this case, there is a chance to avoid the development of the disease and cure it at an early stage, before weight problems arise. With strict adherence to the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor, the normal structure of the ovary is restored in about a year. This, of course, will not lead to weight loss, but it will stop further weight gain. Getting rid of extra pounds, as in all other cases, is possible only by following a diet and daily physical activity. Losing weight also has a beneficial effect on restoring hormonal levels during sudden weight gain in women. The reasons are always interconnected.

What causes men's bellies to grow?

Factors contributing to abdominal enlargement in men:

• Heredity. If your father and grandfather had a body type that was prone to obesity, this also awaits the younger representative of the generation.
• Metabolic disease. It can be corrected with a properly formulated diet.
• Lack of physical activity and a decrease in the amount of sex directly affects the appearance of the male body and the amount of fat.
• Abrupt cessation of smoking provokes a restructuring of the body. Over time, the kilograms will begin to melt away if you pay due attention to this. But it is often easier to smoke a cigarette again. This is a stressful situation.
• Beer and snacks contribute to an enlarged belly, as do stressful situations that require active snacking.
• Lack of motivation in connection with well-being in other areas of life.
• Poorly balanced diet.

In men after 35 years of age, a period of hormonal changes also begins. This is also one of the answers to the question why the belly grows with age - excess weight gain can be caused by heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. If you notice that it is increasing at a rapid rate, get checked by your doctor.

Interesting! Male fat has a stronger adverse effect on the health of internal organs than female fat. Nutritionists recommend increasing activity and monitoring your diet if you have a sedentary lifestyle.

Separately, it should be noted that drivers’ bellies grow faster than others. This is because the oblique muscles are constantly relaxed while driving. Therefore, over time they lose tone and stretch. As we see, a protruding belly is a problem not only for people who are overweight, but also for thin people. The main thing is to pay attention to your body’s signals in a timely manner and determine the cause of growth. If it is related to an illness, consult a nutritionist to create a nutrition plan. If there is a lack of activity, add more movement: go for a walk with your children, buy a bike or make a habit of morning jogging. You'll have to try, but a toned and beautiful belly is definitely worth it!?

Diabetic drugs

Drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes, which usually develops as a result of severe weight gain, can also cause even greater weight gain. A kind of vicious circle is formed, from which it is not so easy to get out. Modern remedies for diabetes, according to the latest medical data, can prevent this cause of sudden weight gain in women. Which doctor should I contact? Let's figure it out.

If there is a hormonal imbalance in the body, then you need to contact an endocrinologist, but it would not be superfluous to visit a gynecologist and other highly specialized specialists. You will also need to consult a nutritionist.

The new generation of drugs includes the drug “Siofor”, which has a double effect. It helps lower blood sugar levels and normalize the body's metabolic processes, which prevents the accumulation of extra pounds. But you shouldn’t ignore the classic ways to help you lose weight: diet and exercise. In this regard, it should be recalled that nutritionists are categorically against taking drugs that promote weight loss by preventing fat absorption. Such medications are taken only when absolutely necessary and only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Reviews

Galina, 43 years old: I have problems with a large belly due to an intestinal disease. The doctor said that first you need to eliminate the cause, only after that you can start getting rid of fat folds. It took up to three months to eliminate the original source of all my problems, now I’m on a diet, losing up to 3 kg per month, for me this is an excellent result.

Rita, 28 years old: She always smiled when she saw young women with big bellies, she thought that they didn’t know how to take care of themselves and were addicted to delicious dishes. When I had to face a similar problem, I realized how wrong I was - the folds at my waist appeared after taking hormonal-based contraceptives. I had to urgently stop taking pills and go on a strict diet.

Taisiya, 32 years old: Thank you for the interesting food replacement table, I’ll definitely try to put it into practice. The problems with my stomach are just beginning, the fat folds are small, but I’m afraid that if you don’t do anything, you’ll have to pay for your passion for store-bought goodies. We will have to urgently review the menu and introduce less harmful dishes.