Most people know that weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you consume. But despite some women's best efforts to eat less and exercise more, they still can't seem to lose any weight. Certain medical conditions or lifestyle habits could be to blame. Talk to your doctor if you experience unexplained weight gain. Once you've ruled out medical conditions, your doctor can help you make a plan for weight loss success.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, can cause weight gain and obesity. The condition occurs when your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain integral hormones. It's more common in women over age 50, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms include fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, pale, dry skin, muscle aches or weakness, depression and heavy menstrual periods. To diagnose hypothyroidism, doctors use blood tests that measure the level of TSH, or thyroid-stimulating hormone, and sometimes the level of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. The condition is treated with daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, according to MayoClinic.com. Most women with the condition have enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts along the outer edge. To be diagnosed with the disorder, your health care provider must find two of the following: menstrual abnormalities, excess androgen or polycystic ovaries. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome often also experience weight gain, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, infertility or darkened, velvety skin on the nape of your neck, armpits, inner thighs, vulva or under your breasts. Treatment consists of interventions aimed at individual symptoms.
Age
The most significant weight gain of a woman's life typically occurs during perimenopause, or during the years leading up to menopause, according to MayoClinic.com. Hormonal changes cause excess weight to cling to your belly. Muscle mass also tends to diminish with age, which can lead to a slowed metabolism. If you continue to eat as you have for years even as your metabolism slows, you will gain weight. Prevent middle-age weight gain by increasing your level of physical activity and eating less. You may require about 200 fewer calories a day during your 50s than you did during your 30s and 40s.
Lifestyle Habits
When stressed, some people eat to fill emotional needs. They may also be especially likely to turn to high-calorie, comforting foods. Learn to recognize the warning signs of stress, such as irritability and muscle tension, and ask yourself if you're truly hungry when you desire food. Practice stress management techniques, such as yoga, massage and meditation. Lack of sleep may also lead to weight gain. Women who sleep six or fewer hours per night are more likely to gain weight than women who get adequate sleep, according to a 2006 study published by Sanjay R. Patel and colleagues in the "American Journal of Epidemiology." Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep at night.
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