Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGeneticsRace and EthnicityHormonesMetabolismLifestyle FactorsMental HealthMedical ConditionsWeight Loss TipsPlateauing
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Genetics
Race and Ethnicity
Hormones
Metabolism
Lifestyle Factors
Mental Health
Medical Conditions
Weight Loss Tips
Plateauing
Weight loss can pose a challenge for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons you may find weight loss difficult include your genetics, race and ethnicity, hormonal factors, metabolism, lifestyle factors, and mental health. Certain medical conditions can also play a role in slowing down or preventing weight loss.
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When it comes to difficulty losing weight, research indicates that genetic factors are often at play. Genes may affect many aspects of weight management, from metabolism and appetite to your ability to feel satiated after eating.Certain rare genetic conditions, such asPrader-Willi syndrome, a chromosomal disorder that causes symptoms like an increased appetite and a tendency to overeat, can also make it harder to lose weight.
Racial and ethnic differences have been observed in various aspects ofweight gainand loss. According to one 2017 study, U.S. obesity rates are highest in Black and Latino populations and lowest among people of Asian descent, with rates among White Americans landing in the middle. Researchers aren’t entirely clear why this is the case, but it’s worth noting that race and ethnicity can factor into the ability to lose weight.
Hormonal fluctuations can affect your hunger, metabolism, cravings, and body-fat distribution. For example, changes inestrogen, often duringperimenopauseandmenopause, are a common cause of unwanted weight gain.
Other hormones that may affect your ability to lose weight include:
Some aspects of your lifestyle, including your environment and everyday habits, may affect your ability to lose weight. These include:
Healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, can also sometimes lead to unintentional weight gain.
Your mental health can impact your weight in a number of ways. Because stress can contribute to “comfort eating” and lead toinsomnia(sleep difficulties such as falling asleep and staying asleep), it can cause weight gain.
Research suggests thatdepressioncan make it hard to lose weight because you may feel less motivated to exercise or participate in your usual activities. Hormonal factors, such as lowerserotoninlevels, may play a role as well. In addition, some people with depression instinctively reach for foods that are high in carbohydrates in an effort to boost their mood.
Possible Medical Conditions
Weight gain is a side effect of certain prescription medications. Examples include some psychiatric medications, steroids, and drugs to treat diabetes and epilepsy.
Additionally, some medical conditions can lead to weight gain or make it harder to lose weight, such as:
Diet and Exercise Weight Loss Tips
While weight loss can be a challenge, there are some steps you can take to make the process go more smoothly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following steps for effective weight loss:
How Do You Know If You Hit a Weight Loss Plateau?
For many people, weight loss seems to plateau at a certain point, often after about six months to a year of trying. You might notice thenumber on the scale staying the samefor many different reasons.
This may occur because of hormonal changes or shifts in your metabolism, especially after losing initial weight. Your appetite may increase after you maintain a calorie deficit for some time, leading you to increase your caloric intake again. Once you reach a certain weight, the rate at which you burn calories may slow down.
Summary
If you’re struggling to lose weight, reach out to a healthcare provider. They can recommend healthy weight loss options and offer alternative treatments, if necessary.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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