The Most Significant Causes of Weight Gain and Obesity

Leptin Resistance

Leptin resistance is one of the leading causes of obesity. Also referred to as the 'fat or obesity hormone,' leptin is produced by fat cells and is responsible for sending signals to the part of the brain that controls hunger and food intake, known as the hypothalamus, when an individual is full and needs to stop eating. Research shows individuals who are obese have access levels of leptin; however, the leptin in those who are overweight or obese does not work the way it should. Instead, it becomes resistant to sending full signals to the brain, which makes it easier for individuals to eat far more than they should.

Medications

Obesity or weight gain is a common symptom or side effect of quite a few different medications or pharmaceutical drugs, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and diabetes drugs. Although these medications may not cause an individual to eat more or crave more food, they may create dysfunction in the way their brain and body stores food instead of burning it, similar to the way too much insulin causes fat to be stored. A doctor should be able to recommend other drugs that do not cause weight gain.