Factors That Can Contribute to Weight Problems

Losing weight is perhaps one of the most difficult endeavors to undertake. Whether you’re male or female, it can seem like an impossible task at times. Often, one assumes that if someone has gained weight, he or she is eating too much and/or not exercising. The truth is that there are many possible, underlying causes for your weight gain, and many are beyond your control.

If you seem to be doing all the “right” things to lose weight, and still can’t make those unwanted pounds disappear, you may be victim to one or more of the following:

Thyroid Problems
One possible underlying cause for weight gain is due to thyroid problems – legitimate ones of which you may not even be aware. Granted, a lot of people use this as an excuse for being overweight, but it is nevertheless a serious problem for a number of individuals. Hypothyroidism, wherein the thyroid is in-active (as opposed to entirely inactive) can make a person put on weight. However, weight gain is not the only symptom. If you think you may have Hypothyroidism, look for the accompanying symptoms of brittle hair, weak nails, dry skin, and feeling cold a majority of the time. This condition is easily addressed with the right treatment; having it taken care of typically deals with the extra weight, which a person gradually begins to lose.
Water Weight
The extra pounds you may be carrying should not necessarily be attributed to fat. As any premenstrual women will point out, water weight can lead to a bloated and heavy appearance as well. Although the weight of water cannot explain every extra pound, it does contribute to some of them. If you (male or female) are bloated but not premenstrual, then a visit to your doctor or health care provider is necessary as water weight can also be attributed to certain kidney and heart problems.
Prescription Medication
Many different types of prescription medications cause weight gain as well. This is especially true of those medications which are taken regularly. Antidepressants are a good example. They frequently cause you to put on weight. If they are taken a year or more, then weight gain should actually be expected. Certain brands of birth control pills can do the same. However, for the most part, they only make the woman taking them put on a few pounds. Steroids do much more damage when it comes to weight. Steroids are often prescribed for a number of autoimmune problems, such as Asthma, Arthritis, Lupus, and stomach problems like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Crohn's Disease, and others like them.

Weight gain can be caused by many things. And it’s important to note that overeating, eating fatty foods, and leading a sedentary lifestyle are not the only culprits. Sometimes gaining weight can point to a far more serious problem. If you do not fall into any of the above categories, yet maintain a moderately healthy diet and are regularly active, but still put on weight, then the problem may be severe and should be checked out immediately.