3 Hidden Causes of Weight Gain

In the Western world, obesity is a growing issue, and it is only getting worse. This is largely due to lifestyles becoming more sedentary and the fact that highly-processed foods full of sugar and fat are more readily available. This weight gain have serious impacts on health, as it increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Fortunately, these complications can be prevented by choosing healthier food options. Read on to know which things might be causing weight gain.

Pin

Menopause

Menopause occurs mostly in midlife, but its covers a wide range of ages. Whatever the age of menopause, however, most women are often less active than when they were younger. In addition, with aging comes slower metabolism and hormonal changes results in hunger, depression, and poor sleep. Menopausal women lose estrogen which results in a change in their body shape. During menopause, weight gain in the hips and thighs are usually lost, but the midsection gains more.

Diet Soda

Many people trying to lose weight opt for the “diet” or “light” soda options, but this is actually only going to contribute to weight gain. Studies show that diet options can even lead to more weight gain than the full sugar options, so from a health point of view, it is better to simply give up the sodas altogether. The reason it can increase weight gain is most likely due to the artificial sweeteners, which make the brain think it's full, but do not have the same filling effect on the body as sugar, and this can lead to overeating.

Unprocessed Red Meat

Red meat is often hailed as full of goodness, and so some people who are trying to avoid weight gain and develop a healthier lifestyle will increase their intake of red meat. However, red meat can actually cause weight gain, and so should not be eaten too often. Red meats are high in cholesterol and saturated fats, which cause weight gain, but saying this, they are also beneficial to health when eaten occasionally if cooked healthily, as they contain iron, zinc, and B vitamins. There are many other sources of protein to consider.

Also, many people respond to stress or depression by eating excessively (i.e., emotional eating). Sources of stress may not always be apparent, but may still affect eating habits and cause weight gain. Weight gain is distressing to most people, but it is easy to fall into a cycle that is hard to break, especially when it is unclear which foods are most heavily contributing the problem. By avoiding some of the foods above and consuming more fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods, and plenty of water, it is more likely that you will achieve your weight loss goal. Read complete approaches on treating weight gain.