Sudden weight gain – why did my belly start growing so fast?

The main reason for gaining excess weight in both men and women is bad nutrition combined with a sedentary lifestyle. Hormone levels also play a role – for example, high cortisol increases cravings for fast carbohydrates, while accelerating the accumulation of fat in the abdomen.

Plus, statistics show that most people suffer from chronic vitamin and mineral deficiencies. For example, only 30% of the population gets enough magnesium to control energy use in the body. Dietary iodine deficiency is another common cause of weight gain.

Reasons for rapid weight gain

Speaking about the causes of excess weight, it is important to separate the primary and secondary factors. For example, an excess of fast carbohydrates and saturated fats in the diet is the primary factor in metabolic disorders – while bad mood, lack of energy, and unwillingness to exercise are secondary.

Age-related hormonal changes also affect weight gain. Starting after 30-35 in men, the level of the hormone testosterone decreases – as a result of which muscle mass decreases and calorie requirements decrease. However, a rare man begins to eat less – most often, on the contrary.

In turn, in women after menopause, the body’s susceptibility to insulin changes – increasing cravings for fast carbohydrates. Statistics show that during this period, women gain an average of 5-7 kg of excess weight – again, in the abdomen.

How hormones influence weight gain

A person’s appetite is controlled by three key hormones. The hormone leptin, produced in adipose tissue, creates a feeling of fullness and stops eating. The hormone ghrelin, produced in the stomach, creates cravings for food and “turns on” the feeling of hunger. Plus, the hormone insulin creates sugar cravings.

To maintain a stable weight, the production of these hormones must be balanced – however, fast carbohydrates and saturated fats (against the background of a sedentary lifestyle) bring discord and break metabolism. The difficulty lies in the fact that the more fat there is in the human body, the more the metabolism is disturbed.

In particular, internal fat, which lies inside the abdominal cavity, squeezes the stomach forward, giving the figure a characteristic rounded shape. Plus, this fat actively affects the functioning of the metabolism – provoking overeating and further weight gain.

Why does the belly grow?

The reason for a sudden weight gain can be many factors – ranging from age-related hormonal changes, ending with loss of mobility due to injury. However, it is important to “seize the moment” and stop the weight gain – otherwise, negative changes (and fat gain) will only accelerate over time.

1. Overeating

Consuming more energy with food than required by the daily calorie intake provokes rapid weight gain and excess deposition in fat depots on the sides and hips. Remember that a handful of sweets per day (200-300 kcal) will provide a weight gain of 8-10 kg per year.

At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the fact that playing sports not only speeds up metabolism but also increases appetite. Trying to lose weight solely by increasing your level of physical activity, but not dieting, you can even gain weight by increasing the portions you eat.

2. Love for sweets

It is a mistake to think of sugar as just empty calories. Eating even a small amount of sweets, dramatically increases the level of glucose in the blood – after a few minutes, this level drops, and you feel a characteristic desire to snack and eat something tasty.

In order to avoid weight gain, it is important not only to study the information on the glycemic index but also to limit the consumption of pure sugar and starches as much as possible – giving up not only chocolate and sweets but also fruit juices and even sweetened yogurts.

3. High-stress levels

To function effectively in a stressful situation, the body accumulates energy with the help of a sharp increase in the hormone cortisol. Although it is effective in a short period of time, chronic stress literally exhausts the body.

High levels of cortisol not only increase appetite by increasing cravings for fast carbohydrates but also disrupt sleep and lead to weight gain in the abdomen. Among other things, trying to go on a diet in this case only worsens the metabolism, leading to breakdowns and overeating.

4. Thyroid gland

Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) are characterized by serious metabolic disturbances, including rapid weight gain, chronic fatigue, headaches, insomnia, and an inability to get enough sleep even with plenty of sleep.

One of the most common reasons for a decrease in thyroid hormones is a lack of iodine in the diet, which can be corrected in the simplest ways. If you are gaining excess weight, even with a careful diet and exercise, be sure to get checked for iodine deficiency.

5. Age-related hormonal changes

At the age of 45-50, women begin menopause, characterized by a change in metabolism. According to studies, the average weight gain during this period is from 5 to 7 kg. As the metabolism changes, getting rid of this weight is not always easy.

In turn, the age-related decrease in the level of testosterone, the most important male hormone, leads not only to a sharp loss of muscle mass but also provokes “female type” obesity. In this case, fat begins to be deposited on the chest, thighs, and lower abdomen.

6. Taking medication

Taking certain medications can lead to a change in metabolism and an increase in the level of body fat. Examples are antidepressants, antipsychotics, diabetes, high blood pressure, and anabolic steroids.

Each of these drugs has its own mechanism of influence on rapid weight gain – from increasing appetite to affecting insulin levels or even fat absorption. If you notice weight gain with a new medication, talk to your doctor about it.

7. Lack of sleep

Lack of proper sleep and chronic lack of sleep is characterized by serious stress for the body. Since not only the body is restored during sleep, but also the brain with the central nervous system, lack of sleep significantly impairs biochemical processes.

Lack of sleep literally deprives a person of energy – trying to make up for this lack, people consume not only more coffee but also food in general. Considering that lack of sleep is associated with lack of time, this affects the quality of food and the transition to fast food and junk foods.

The consequences of rapid weight gain

Obesity is the most common metabolic disorder among all diseases in the world. According to the World Health Organization, about one in three adults on the planet is overweight, and one in ten is obese.

A sharp weight gain is not only an aesthetic problem. Obesity causes complex damage to the health of the body because, with an increase in excess weight, fat cells begin to play an increasingly active role in human metabolism, disrupting metabolism.

Possible health risks

Excess body fat has been linked to high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal damage (such as osteoarthritis), and even some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon cancers).

Consequences of obesity:

• Decreased testosterone levels in men
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Disruption of leptin production
• Development of diabetes
• High cortisol

Abrupt weight gain is a serious problem that carries not only aesthetic consequences but also creates numerous health risks. One of the typical reasons for the growth of belly fat is high levels of cortisol. In addition, weight gain is often a symptom of diabetes or prediabetes.