A person's metabolism is one of the many factors that influence the body's weight. A decrease in metabolism can cause a person to gain weight despite a healthy diet and moderate exercise. Illness and disease may raise or lower the body's metabolic rate to the extreme in either direction. Certain medications can affect a person's metabolism as well.
Hashimoto's Disease
Hashimoto's disease is a disorder in which the thyroid gland is perceived by the body as a threat. The immune system attacks the thyroid causing inflammation. As the thyroid is weakened, it produces fewer and fewer thyroid hormones. This deterioration and decrease in hormone production can lead to hypothyroidism.
As the body's levels of thyroid hormone are depleted the metabolism slows down and can lead to joint pain, fatigue and obesity, according to the Mayo Clinic. Proper diet and exercise may help to reduce the symptoms, but weight gain will continue until the hypothyroidism is treated.
Cushing's Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome or hypercortisolism, occurs when excessive amounts of cortisol are present in the body for extended periods of time. Oral corticosteroid medication is thought to be the primary cause of Cushing's syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tumors on or near the pituitary gland have also been known to cause Cushing's syndrome.
Fatty deposits can appear throughout the body, but are the most common in the stomach and abdominal area. Cushing's syndrome is characterized by a round "moon" face and a fatty hump located between the shoulder blades.
Reducing the amount of the oral corticosteroid medication or having surgery to remove the tumor may lessen some of the symptoms, but weight gain may still be an issue. Diet and exercise may help to slow down the excess weight gain, but the underlying cause must be treated to keep it in check, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Medications That Cause Weight Gain
Patients who have been diagnosed with depression or other mental illness may experience weight gain when put on certain medication, according to Drugs.com. Celexa and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can adversely affect the body's metabolism causing rapid weight gain.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs affect chemical levels in the brain. These chemicals influence how the body functions. Sleep patterns, moods and metabolism can all be affected adversely. If the body's metabolism slows down, weight can be put on quite rapidly. Changes in diet and exercise may help to keep the weight under control, but the medication may need to be monitored to insure that the proper dose is taken.
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