Why Do I Gain Weight So Easily?

It can be frustrating to have a relative or friend who can eat anything and never gain a pound. Meanwhile, just a few treats cause you to gain weight easily that's difficult to shed. Consuming too many calories and a lack of activity are the main causes of being overweight or obese. However, some other factors can play a role in why you are prone to piling on the pounds more quickly than you'd like.

Sluggish Metabolism

Several factors affect your metabolism such as genetics, aging and muscle mass. Some people are born with naturally faster metabolisms than others. If you have a lower metabolic rate --- which accounts for 60 to 75 percent of calories burned daily, according to the Mayo Clinic --- you'll be more prone to gaining weight, especially if you're not physically active. Furthermore, as you get older, your metabolism starts to decline. Loss of muscle mass as you get older further complicates matters, slowing your metabolism to a crawl.

Genetics

Your genes don't just influence your metabolism; they control weight-related factors such as cravings and your body shape. For instance, if you're an endomorph, a person who naturally has a lot of body fat, you'll tend to gain extra weight easily. On the other hand, ectomorphs, who have little body fat or muscle, find it difficult to gain weight. Muscle burns more calories than body fat so the more you have of it, the more efficiently your body burns calories.

Toxins

Mainstream medicine continues to dispute the benefits of detoxification diets. However, evidence is mounting that too many toxins in your body can have serious consequences, including weight gain. Natural health advocates maintain that toxin overload in the body disrupts metabolism and other functions that influence weight. In a study published in the journal "Obesity" in June 2010, researchers revealed that some organic pollutants, which disrupt the endocrine system, negatively impacted BMI, percentage of fat mass and total and subcutaneous abdominal fat.

Hypothyroidism

The pituitary gland in the brain produces thyroid stimulating hormone, which triggers your thyroid gland to produce hormones that control metabolism, thereby influencing how your body burns energy. When the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of these hormones --- a condition known as hypothyroidism --- your metabolic rate slows down and you burn calories more slowly. Women older than 50 are the most at risk for hypothyroidism. If you're worried about your thyroid gland, consult your doctor to put your mind at rest or for treatment.