From time to time you may notice fluctuations in your body weight. When you think about it, you can usually find an explanation — maybe you've been exercising less or eating more. These types of ups and downs are normal.
The time to be concerned about weight loss or gain is when the cause isn't readily apparent. That's when you should see a physician.
"The good news/bad news is that most weight gain, especially as we get older, is usually not the result of medical problems, but the result of a slower metabolism, coupled with a decrease in physical activity," says Jennifer S. Earvolino, MD, an internal medicine doctor at Rush.
"Often, what we need to do for this type of weight gain is to trick the body's system into kick starting the metabolism, by increasing daily physical activity and by eating smaller amounts more frequently," she says.
Seeking healthy options
When people go long periods of time between meals and then eat a large meal, a larger amount of insulin is released, which in turn promotes fat storage.
"Eating more frequently while making more healthful choices, such as eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, can make a huge difference," says Earvolino. "Otherwise, even when we eat the same amount that we did in the past, we'll be burning fewer of those calories per day and gain weight over the years.
And there's no way around it; you have to increase your physical activity as your age. "Daily exercise not only burns calories, it also promotes the development of muscle mass," Earvolino says. "Muscle burns calories more effectively than fat, so the leaner you are, the more efficiently you burn calories."
Weight gain that comes with inactivity or age is common and usually occurs gradually, but some changes in weight can be more sudden and hard to account for. Some of the medical reasons for weight change include:
- Thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Fluid retention from either cardiac or kidney disease
- Emotional stressors such as depression and anxiety
- Taking certain medications
- Cushing's syndrome (a rare hormonal disorder)
"If you have sudden weight gain or loss out of the blue — you can't pinpoint the cause — you should discuss it with you physician," says Earvolino. "There are a number of medical conditions that need to be ruled out."
Keeping a watchful eye
"Even with weight gain that can be explained, we need to make sure that there aren't other related problems that need to be addressed like elevated blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol, diabetes, depression or anxiety," Earvolino says.
If you have sudden weight gain or loss out of the blue — you can't pinpoint the cause — you should discuss it with you physician. There are a number of medical conditions that need to be ruled out.
Remember: It's not so much about being thin as it is about being healthy. If you're concerned about your weight, work with your doctor to develop a healthy plan for reducing fat, building muscle and strengthening our cardiovascular system.
