It seems that as people age, their weight naturally increases as their body shape changes. But how much weight gain is natural aging? What is too much weight gain, and when can lifestyle choices be to blame for unnecessary extra pounds?
The Facts
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, adults gain weight over time, with an average weight increase in young adults from one-half to one pound per year. In a study on adults ages 25 to 44, women gained about 5.2 percent of their body weight, and men gained about 3.4 percent over a 10-year period.
In their Journal of Nutrition study, "Causes of Adult Weight Gain," Susan B. Roberts and David F. Williamson note that during middle age adults experience weight gain that results in a doubling of body fat in males and females. They further assert that even before the obesity issue that we face today, there has always been weight gain in adulthood.
Significance
Significant weight gain that leads to obesity causes many health risks. Risks for heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke increase in people who are overweight. In addition, obese people are more likely to have gallstones, pulmonary problems and reproductive problems.
Considerations
While most weight gain is a product of overeating or sedentary lifestyles, other factors may also play a role. Hypothyroidism and other hormone problems, along with lack of sleep, can cause a person to gain weight. Additionally, some medications, including those for psychiatric disorders and depression, are associated with adult weight gain.
Treatment
Fortunately, there are many treatments available to combat obesity. Proper nutrition and exercise are an important step. The Weight Control Information Network recommends that all people get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. Severely overweight people may be candidates for more drastic measures, such as bariatric surgery.
Prevention/Solution
If you want to knock out those pounds before they begin creeping up on you, good nutrition and regular exercise are essential, but you should also make sure to take care of your overall personal health. Attending regularly scheduled visits with your doctor (ideally yearly) will help you treat small health concerns before they become out of control. Further, finding constructive ways to deal with stress may lower your chance of becoming obese.
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