Reasons for weight gain

Weight gain: A painful route to Obesity

You take a trip to any place in the world. You talk about any culture or society of people. You will come across a common problem which all of them will talk about. Weight gain or Obesity. Obesity is a condition in which the natural energy reserve of humans stored in the fat tissue expands far beyond regular levels to the point where it impairs health. The increase in body weight can indicate various medical problems. Or it could just be the result of over eating. And any unexplained weight problem requires immediate medical attention.

The biological and medical causes of weight gain
Processes that occur in the brain and gastrointestinal tract determine hunger. Eating patterns emerge according to the signals provided from hypothalamus and pituitary glands of the brains. The molecules produced after this, balance the process by suppressing or stimulating appetite. Unfortunately, in some cases genetic factors produce an imbalance in these chemical factors.

Insulin
This is important in the conversion of blood sugar into energy. The inability to use insulin efficiently has been associated with problems like Obesity and Diabetes.

Leptin
Leptin is a hormone released by fat cells. It plays a vital role in storing fat in the body. When more fat gets stored in the cells, the leptin level rises and warns hypothalamus to suppress the appetite. For people who have Leptin deficiencies, the brain tricks the body into believing that it is starving. This leads to weight gain.

Resistin
It is another hormone produced by fat cells, which produces resistance to the activity of insulin. It could also have an effect on weight gain.

Intestine chemicals
Chemicals in the intestinal tract pass signals to the brain on whether a person is hungry or not. Blocking these chemicals or chemical imbalances can cause Obesity.

Genetic factors leading to Obesity
Genetic factors can cause severe problems relating to Obesity. If you have a family history of over weight problems, it can affect you to a great extend. Families with lower metabolic rates will also face weight crisis.

• HOB1 gene is linked to high BMI in women. This is a newly identified gene which might cause obesity
• Melanocortin-4 receptor is a gene, which controls the hunger urge to a certain extend. In certain families this gene deficiency has been noticed where they struggle with the problem of weight gain
• The number of fat cells a person is born with also determines his weight

• Hypothyroidism
• Injury in the hypothalamus region
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome, a disorder in women
• Water retention
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Some brain injuries and tumors
• Hypoglycemia

• Oral contraceptive pills
• Steroids
• Certain anti depressants
• Various tranquilizers
• Certain schizophrenia drugs and salt retaining drugs
• Triycylic anti depressants
• Lithium
• Corticosteroids
• Certain psychotropic drugs

In such cases, diet programs or diet pills will only tackle Obesity to a certain level. But taking medical help and mending your eating habits will assist you in controlling your fat deposits. Constant weight gain is a painful route to Obesity. So before you find it difficult to shed weight, it’s better to control it in the beginning itself.