What causes women to constantly gain weight

Continuous weight gain in women may be related to changes in hormone levels, imbalanced dietary structure, decreased metabolic rate, insufficient exercise, psychological stress, and other factors. Obesity not only affects appearance, but may also increase the risk of various chronic diseases, requiring targeted adjustments based on individual circumstances.

1. Hormonal level changes

Women are prone to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels during puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and other stages, which can promote fat accumulation in the abdomen and buttocks. Polycystic ovary syndrome patients often have insulin resistance, leading to accelerated fat synthesis. When hypothyroidism occurs, the basal metabolic rate decreases, and weight gain may occur even with a normal diet.

2. Imbalance in dietary structure

Long term high sugar and high-fat diet can stimulate excessive insulin secretion, promoting the conversion of excess calories into fat storage. Refined carbohydrates such as white rice and flour are digested and absorbed quickly, which can easily cause postprandial blood sugar fluctuations. Some women experience retaliatory overeating after dieting to lose weight, which in turn leads to excessive calorie intake.

3. Decreased metabolic rate

As age increases, muscle mass decreases annually, and the basal metabolic rate decreases accordingly. If postpartum women fail to restore their exercise habits, their resting energy expenditure will significantly decrease. Long term staying up late can affect the secretion of leptin and ghrelin, leading to increased appetite and reduced energy expenditure during the day.

4. Lack of exercise

Sedentary office work significantly reduces daily activity levels, and insufficient calorie consumption can easily lead to a positive energy balance. Household chores cannot replace aerobic exercise, and lack of intensity training makes it difficult to maintain muscle mass. Some women, due to joint pain or time constraints, exercise less frequently than the basic requirement of three times a week.

5. Psychological stress

Chronic stress can continuously increase cortisol levels, which promote visceral fat deposition. Emotional eating is common in women under high stress, and a vicious cycle is formed by relieving anxiety through high sugar foods. Patients with depression may experience weight gain due to medication side effects or behavioral withdrawal.

It is recommended that women regularly monitor changes in waist circumference and body fat percentage, adopt a Mediterranean diet to control refined sugar intake, and engage in weekly resistance training combined with aerobic exercise. For suspected hormone abnormalities or BMI exceeding 28, timely medical examination should be conducted to investigate pathological factors such as polycystic ovary syndrome and thyroid disease. Establish regular sleep patterns and mindful eating habits to avoid metabolic damage caused by extreme dieting.