In general, weight gain is the intentional or unintentional increase in body weight. In particular, if an increase in weight without increased appetite or altered food intake occurs, but even if it occurs very suddenly and inexplicably, the causes should be clarified.
The body has a strong tendency to keep its weight stable. As long as there are no deficiencies that need to be balanced, and food intake and energy consumption are in balance, the bodyweight of healthy people will therefore only fluctuate within narrow limits. Natural exceptions to this rule are, for example, pregnancy, growth during childhood, and also the development of muscle mass through targeted training. In these situations, additional tissue is formed, which, of course, is noticeable on the scale.
From a medical point of view, an increase in body weight is to be interpreted as a possible disease symptom if it occurs without any apparent cause or very suddenly. In this respect applies: If you gain weight, for example, without changing eating habits or despite unchanged appetite, the causes should be clarified by a doctor. This applies to an increased extent if the increase occurs over a relatively short time.
Common causes of weight gain
The most common cause of an increase in body weight is excessive food intake, mostly in the form of meals rich in fat or carbohydrates. But underlying diseases such as hypothyroidism or heart failure and certain medications can lead to weight gain.
In Western countries, by far the most common reason for an increase in body weight is in our modern diet. Specifically, this means that our diet simply delivers too much energy (measured in calories or kilojoules) - mostly in the form of fat or carbohydrates (especially sugar) - that exceeds our actual needs. The excess energy from food is stored by the body as fat. It develops more or less pronounced obesity, which, among other things burdened the heart, circulation, joints, and metabolism.
But also various illnesses, as well as medicines, can favor a weight increase. Sometimes water retention is responsible for a change in weight.
Other causes of weight gain:
Hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism)
Taking medications (such as antidepressants, estrogens, insulin)
Cushing syndrome (increased appetite is typical, even full moon face)
Tumors in the brain's brain (pituitary gland, hypothalamus)
Tumors that release insulin or growth hormones
Changes in body weight are not always due to fat deposits or growth processes. In the context of various diseases, more water is often stored in the organism. This manifests itself in the form of edema (swelling caused by water retention), for example on the ankles, in the abdomen or the lungs.
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