Even if weight loss is your best path forward to better health, your body often resists it. This can happen for any number of reasons, many of which are outlined below. What you need to know most of all is that if you have obesity, it’s not a personal failing. Many factors have worked to cause your excess weight, and once you have it, losing weight can feel like an uphill battle. Read on to learn about why.
While you might want to lose weight, your body generally prefers to keep your weight the same. Your brain continuously integrates signals about stored energy, recent food intake and energy expenditure. The hypothalamus, which lives deep in the brain, controls the sensations of hunger and fullness, making it a control center for appetite and metabolism. In doing this, it helps your body maintain a weight range, which can fluctuate by several pounds around an average.
Adulthood obesity is not inevitable after childhood obesity. However, excess weight from childhood can become biologically familiar, making it more difficult to lose weight in adulthood. You may continue to have the same appetite patterns, food preferences and movement patterns. Family environments from your childhood can also contribute to how your body regulates weight. If you’re used to having big family dinners on a regular basis or living a sedentary lifestyle, finding a different way of relating to food and exercise as an adult can be challenging.
Insulin helps move glucose into cells and regulates energy storage. However, chronically elevated insulin can lead to increased fat storage and reduced access to the fat for energy. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, which makes the body respond less effectively to insulin, causing the body to produce more. This leads to increased hunger, metabolic dysfunction and, if unmanaged, conditions like prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Leptin is a hormone that signals the brain about available energy stores. Many people with obesity have high leptin levels but a reduced brain response to the signal. This is known as leptin resistance. Similar to insulin resistance, with leptin resistance, the brain may perceive an energy shortage despite abundant stored energy, promoting hunger and energy conservation.
Medical conditions can lead to excess weight or make weight loss harder. Hypothyroidism, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome), and Cushing syndrome all cause the body to retain weight. Menopause and low testosterone can also contribute to weight gain. Some medications can lead to weight gain, and if this does happen, it might be worth having a conversation with your doctor to see if alternatives are available.
Body weight and genetics can go hand-in-hand. Many genes influence appetite, fullness, food reward, fat distribution and energy expenditure. Inherited vulnerability to excess weight interacts with the environments you find yourself in. If you grow up surrounded by calorie-dense food and experiencing chronic stress or limited activity, your chances of carrying excess weight will be higher. While your genes and environment don’t determine your destiny, they can contribute to obesity and struggles with losing weight.
One of the most frustrating experiences someone can have after working hard to lose weight is gaining that weight back. This is often not a sign of a lack of discipline or motivation. Your body naturally will have increased hunger with reduced satiety and lower energy expenditure after losing weight. Maintaining weight loss long-term means working with your body to find a healthy plan that’s sustainable for you.
If you find your weight constantly yo-yoing between diets, talk to your doctor to see if there’s something you’re missing. Working with your doctor to find a sustainable nutrition and fitness plan can be a meaningful step toward better health. Sometimes, medication and surgery are the best solutions for long-term weight loss. Remember, your weight is just a piece of your overall health, and getting to a healthy weight often means zooming out and seeing the full puzzle.
