Darrick Robles Our weight has a major impact on our health. Those who are overweight have a higher risk of chronic diseases. However, we don’t all have the same body and we don’t all have the same resources to keep our weight under control. Although diet and lifestyle play important roles, genetic, hormonal, and other factors can contribute to weight gain.
Overweight and obesity (severely overweight) are among the biggest health problems in Germany. The higher the BMI (body mass index) , the higher the risk of concomitant diseases such as diabetes mellitus , high blood pressure , osteoarthritis , kidney disease or infertility (in men). Around two thirds of men and half of women in Germany are overweight, a quarter of all adults are obese (very overweight).
However, the explanation that overweight people consume too many calories and burn too few is too simple. Other, often invisible, factors can also make it difficult for them to maintain a healthy weight.
1. Genetic factors
Some lose weight faster, others gain weight faster. Children of overweight parents have a genetic predisposition to becoming overweight. Our genes determine how our metabolism responds to diet and lifestyle, how and where we gain or lose our pounds. Twin studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role in how high our energy expenditure is and how our body stores ingested food as fat tissue.
2. Processed foods
Fast food, sausage, cheese, sweets and chips have a high energy density (more than 2.5 kcal per gram). They’re often loaded with additives, sugar, fat and salt, and fill us up less than they should. Therefore, we tend to eat too much of ready meals and Co. – even when we are hungry.
The lower the energy density of a food, the more of it you can eat without gaining weight. Low-energy-density foods include fruits, vegetables, potatoes, lean meat, and low-fat dairy products. Bread, pasta and lentils have a medium energy density.
3. Unhealthy food culture
If you want to buy a snack along the way, you are more likely to find a vending machine full of sweets than a fruit stand. Chocolate bars are always placed at the checkout in supermarkets. High-fat junk food and high-sugar sodas are already being marketed to children. Unhealthy foods are more accessible – and often particularly cheap. If you want to eat healthily today , you have to make an effort to resist the constant temptation.
4. Binge-Eating
Binge eating is the most common eating disorder. Those affected suffer from recurring binge eating that they cannot control. They eat very large amounts of food in a very short time, even if they may not feel physically hungry.
40 percent of those affected by binge eating are very overweight, i.e. have a BMI over 30. They often suffer from other mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders at the same time . Behavioral therapy is an effective method for those affected to get the eating disorder under control and to prevent relapses.
5. Lack of exercise in lockdown
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), more than 25% of adults and 80% of young people do not get enough exercise. The lack of exercise has recently worsened due to the corona pandemic, working from home , homeschooling and the closure of sports facilities. Especially during the winter lockdown, our physical activity in everyday life has decreased massively – and that in turn is an important factor for obesity.
The WHO recommends at least 150 minutes aerobic exercise per week for adults and at least 60 minutes for children (jogging, cycling, dancing, etc.).
6. Medication
Some medicines can make you gain weight more:
- Antidiabetics: Diabetes medications may contain ingredients that promote weight gain. The blood-sugar-lowering hormone insulin can also cause you to gain weight.
- Psychotropic Drugs: Some psychotropic drugs can increase your weight, especially if you take them for a long time. They influence brain metabolism and can affect appetite, satiety and metabolism.
- Beta blockers: Sometimes patients with high blood pressure or heart disease gain weight because they take beta blockers.
Do you suspect you are gaining weight because of medication? Please do not simply stop taking the medication, but talk to your doctor about it. For many of the drugs mentioned, there are weight-neutral or weight-reducing alternatives that you can have prescribed for you.
7. Underlying diseases
In addition to medication, certain diseases can also be a cause of obesity:
- Hypothyroidism: Thyroid problems affect your metabolism . If the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are not produced sufficiently, your energy expenditure will be lower.
- PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): This disease, in which cysts form on the ovaries, is often recognized late. The affected women often have an irregular menstrual cycle . Obesity can also be a symptom.
- Cushing’s disease: In patients with Cushing’s disease (hypercortisolism), the body releases more cortisone into the blood than normal. If the cortisone level is permanently high, they gain weight.
- Testosterone deficiency in men: If the pituitary gland or hypothalamus produce too little testosterone, the body can form additional fat deposits as a result.
When you’re overweight, it’s not always your diet or lifestyle to blame. The metabolism also plays a decisive role – and it is very individual for each person.
There are test kits for at home (Lykon partner link) that you can use to analyze your metabolism. There are also DNA test kits (Lykon partner link) that examine your DNA for signs of a genetic tendency to be overweight. Use code KRLY01T to get 15% off your order.
As a Lykon partner, we receive a commission if you purchase a Lykon test kit via the link or our code.
If you have weight fluctuations that seem unnatural or you want to better control your weight, seek medical help. Our experienced doctors will be happy to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
