Weight loss, weight gain, and weight maintenance can be simply explained by calories "in" versus calories "out". If you consume more calories than you burn, then you will gain weight. It is a simple explanation, but not always a complete one. There are many factors that can cause obesity.
Causes of Weight Gain
The following factors, either alone or in conjunction with one another, can contribute to weight gain and obesity. To learn more about how to deal with obesity-related health concerns, consult a
weight loss surgeon to discuss your options.
High-calorie/ high-fat diet - Typically overweight and obese people consume far more calories than their body needs.
Inactivity - The lack of physical activity in the lives of sedentary men and women keep them from burning the calories necessary to offset the amount of calories consumed.
Medications - Certain medications, including some corticosteroids, antidepressants, high blood pressure prescriptions, and antipsychotic medications, can lead to weight gain.
Pregnancy - Although it is necessary to gain weight during pregnancy, some women find it difficult to lose this weight after the baby is born.
Quitting smoking - Although cigarette smoking is considered a greater threat to health than obesity, many smokers tend to gain weight after quitting. This could be a change in metabolic rate from the lack of nicotine or the weight gain could be caused by nicotine's ability to raise the rate at which your body burns calories (the lack of nicotine causes slower burning of calories). It could also be caused by a smoker trading one addiction (smoking) for another (overeating).
Medical problems - Some medical conditions, including low thyroid function or Cushing's syndrome (causes excess production of hormones by the adrenal glands), can cause weight gain.
Genetics - Although genetic makeup does not sentence a person to being obese, genetic makeup can dictate how and where the body stores and converts fat.
Age - As people age, muscle mass tends to decrease, which decreases metabolic rate.
Although there are numerous factors that can contribute to weight gain and obesity, there are ways to combat obesity. Discuss
bariatric surgery options with your doctor to determine the best way to achieve a healthy weight. Procedures such as
LAP BAND surgery offer a minimally invasive weight loss surgery option for patients.