Medically Reviewed by Sindhu Vas – Post Graduate in Nutrition and Food science
There’s a difference between a few extra kilos and sudden weight gain in stomach and thighs. It is not just a sign of binge eating.
This sudden weight gain can signal imbalances in the body that you should take note off.
Table of contents
- Medication cause weight gain
- Digestive issue
- Thyroid disorder
- Lack of nutrients
- Ageing
- Stress and lifestyle disease
Sudden weight gain in the stomach region could possibly mean that you’ve pigged out on good food.
However, excessive weight gain in a short period of time or gaining weight for no reason is not a good sign – it could mean anything from vitamin deficiencies and hormonal imbalances to something more dangerous.
Take note of the difference between a few extra kilos and sudden weight gain in stomach and thighs and know exactly what can cause unexplained weight gain.
Medications can cause sudden weight gain
Antidepressants, birth control pills, corticosteroid tablets – all of these contribute towards unexpected weight gain. Antidepressants can cause weight gain of anywhere around 2-7 kg.
Depending on hormonal levels, brand, and dosage, birth control pills could add a little weight to one’s body.
It has been observed that long-term use of corticosteroid tablets leads to increased appetite in some cases, leading to weight gain.
If you suspect your weight gain to be a possible effect of medicines, contact your doctor immediately.
What should be your ideal BMI? Find out immediately.
Digestive issues
Issues with digestion, whether it is bad metabolism or slow bowel movements, could be a reason for all that excess weight. Low fibre content and dehydration are also major causes of your gut acting out, leading to possible weight gain.
Eating probiotics, drinking lots of water, and including fibre-rich foods in your diet are some steps you can take towards improving your digestion. If you have any extreme prolonged issues, do check with your doctor.
Sudden weight gain points to thyroid disorder
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, which is usually most common in older women, contribute towards weight gain.
It essentially indicates that thyroid hormones aren’t being produced enough by the thyroid gland, which negatively affects metabolism and leads to weight gain.
While hypothyroidism is usually treated with levothyroxine tablets (daily hormone-replacement medicines), other symptoms such as fatigue, irregular body temperature and depression warrant a trip to the physician immediately.
Lack of nutrients
You might be eating healthy, but if your body isn’t getting the correct nutrients and is low in vitamin D, iron, magnesium, etc., it alters the metabolism and saps one’s energy. When you take to eating simple carbs, sweets and caffeine for energy, weight gain is inevitable.
What causes bloating and weight gain? Not staying hydrated and eating too much salty food – surprise, surprise. Take Vitamin D supplements and add almonds and Brazil nuts to your diet to boost nutrient levels in the body.
Ageing leads to sudden weight gain
Ageing is unavoidable, and the fact of the matter is that as one gets older, modest amounts of inactive muscles are lost. Since muscles burn calories, older people burn fewer calories and could lead to weight gain.
Indulging in regular muscle-strengthening exercises and getting careful about what you eat could go a long way in both maintaining one’s weight and not putting on more weight.
Stress and lifestyle diseases
Long-term stress is linked to continued weight gain, according to the Obesity Journal. Researchers have found that stress hormones cortisol is also related to weight gain.
Also if you are suffering from a possible disease, then weight gain could be possible. For instance, people with diabetes on insulin supplements could witness a weight gain.
People suffering from the rare Cushing’s Syndrome have high levels of the cortisol hormone, with weight gain not only being a symptom but also a side effect, especially on the stomach, face, and chest.
One of the most commonly occurring conditions among women today, PCOS, also results in weight gain around the waist as a symptom.
Weight gain around the belly is more troubling and could possibly indicate the presence of a tumour. In such cases, meeting your physician is imperative.
QUICK BYTES
Why am I suddenly gaining weight?
Sudden weight gain in the stomach, especially, can be due to many reasons –sluggish thyroid, overeating healthy foods, dehydration, depression, staying up late, stressful life and job, ignoring sodium levels in the body, not eating enough protein, medications, and not indulging yourself at all!
Why am I gaining weight while working out and eating right?
One is improper diet – even if you’re eating healthy foods, the quantity might be more. Hidden sodium in your diet could be the second reason – it dissolves body fluids.
The body has water weight as it retains water to maintain sodium levels. Reducing food amounts and restricting calories lowers the metabolism, essentially leading to starvation. The body resists burning fat and loses muscle tissue.
Lastly, being obsessed with weight issues could actually cause you to put on more.
How do you stop gaining weight?
Eating healthy food in smaller portions, eating slowly, avoiding stress and depression, keeping oneself hydrated, sleeping well, and cutting back on alcohol and cigarettes goes a long way in helping you stop gaining weight.