Sudden Weight Gain

Someone please help me with sudden weight gain - what is sudden weight gain and how does it happen?
(March 2, 2011)

Sudden Weight Gain

Several men, women and children around the globe have experienced rapid or sudden weight gain. Sudden weight gain in children and adults usually refers to the unintentional increase in weight, which could occur because of the intake of additional calories. Consuming more than the required number of calories on a regular basis is quite harmful and can have adverse effects on the body, like sudden weight gain in stomach, hips, thighs, chest and so on. Studies reveal that over 40% of the population in the United States suffers from obesity, which is a result of sudden weight gain. It has been seen that sudden weight gain in men is not usually taken very seriously, especially in comparison with sudden weight gain in women.


Most women do tend to notice their sudden weight gain immediately and may also try to do something about it. Unfortunately, sudden weight gain in men and some women too, could lead to obesity and consequently, many health concerns, like diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes, heart problems, and so on.

What causes sudden weight gain?

There could be several habit and reasons for sudden weight gain, which people do not even realize. It is a well known fact that some of the most common causes of sudden weight gain include excessive snacking, overeating, leading a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, stress and cutting down on smoking. However, some of the other causes of sudden weight gain in women and perhaps men too, include:

• A medical condition, known as hypothyroidism, which occurs due to the deficiency of the thyroid hormone. This condition affects the metabolism negatively, which leads to a loss of appetite, but still leads to sudden weight gain
• A disease known as Cushing’s syndrome, which is caused by an excess in the levels of cortisol in the body. This condition usually leads to sudden weight gain in stomach, face and the back.
• The use of certain prescription medicines could also be a common cause of sudden weight gain in many men and women
• The deficiency of an essential fatty acid, known as omega-3 fatty acid can have an adverse effect on the metabolism of the body. This deficiency also increases the cravings for fatty foods, due to which people could gain a lot of weight within a short duration

Sudden weight gain during pregnancy

It is only natural for a woman to gain weight during the course of pregnancy; on average most women gain around 12.5 kilos till the baby is born. Some women may also experience sudden weight gain in pregnancy, which could be a major cause for concern, as it could be an indication of conditions such as acute fluid retention or even gestational diabetes. Therefore any major and sudden weight fluctuations during pregnancy should be brought to a doctor’s attention, without any delay.

However, there are some people who may experience unexplained sudden weight gain, i.e., they may gain a large amount of weight within a short span of time, even though they have not increased their daily caloric intake in any way. In such instances, it is important to consult a doctor and identify what the possible sudden weight gain causes are.