Ask an expert
Search expert health advice:
Browse by expert
- Allergy expert
- Anti-ageing expert
- Arthritis expert
- Breast cancer expert
- Cancer expert
- CyberDoc
- Oral health expert
- Diabetes expert
- EnviroHealth expert
- Family law expert
Question
25 Feb 2009
Share
Weight gain for no apparent reason
hi. I am a 35 year old female who has gained substantial weight in the last year for no apparent reason. I do not eat large amounts, and in actual fact am eating more healthily as I have high cholesterol. What could be the cause and what can I do to kick-start weight-loss?
Desperate!!!!!
Desperate!!!!!
DietDoc
Dear Mickey
There are a variety of factors that can cause weight gain: 1) hormonal imbalances (thyroid, insulin, female hormones), 2) Depression, 3) Lack of exercise 4) medications including hormone therapies, etc. To lose weight you need to basically change your lifestyle. Reduce your energy intake by eating an energy-reduced, low-fat, high-fibre diet (click on 'Diet' at the top of this page, 'Weight loss', ‘Balanced diet’ and then on 'Slimming Diet' for a copy of such a diet), and increasing your energy output by doing regular exercise (running, jogging, skipping, cycling, swimming, join a gym or Walk for Life). Despite the fact that you are eating healthy food to reduce your cholesterol intake, you may be ingesting more energy than you require if you are not physically active. If doing exercise for at least 30 min a day and an energy-reduced diet do not produce weightloss of about 0,5 to 1 kg per week, then it may be a good idea to have your hormone levels tested by a medical dr or physician.
Hope you start losing
DietDoc
There are a variety of factors that can cause weight gain: 1) hormonal imbalances (thyroid, insulin, female hormones), 2) Depression, 3) Lack of exercise 4) medications including hormone therapies, etc. To lose weight you need to basically change your lifestyle. Reduce your energy intake by eating an energy-reduced, low-fat, high-fibre diet (click on 'Diet' at the top of this page, 'Weight loss', ‘Balanced diet’ and then on 'Slimming Diet' for a copy of such a diet), and increasing your energy output by doing regular exercise (running, jogging, skipping, cycling, swimming, join a gym or Walk for Life). Despite the fact that you are eating healthy food to reduce your cholesterol intake, you may be ingesting more energy than you require if you are not physically active. If doing exercise for at least 30 min a day and an energy-reduced diet do not produce weightloss of about 0,5 to 1 kg per week, then it may be a good idea to have your hormone levels tested by a medical dr or physician.
Hope you start losing
DietDoc
The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical examination, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content.
