Weight gain is an increase in body weight.
This can be either an increase in muscle mass,
fat deposits,
or excess fluids such as water.
Muscle gain or weight gain can occur as a result of exercise
or bodybuilding,
in which muscle size is increased through strength
training.
If enough weight is gained by way of increased body fat
deposits, one may become overweight or fat, generally defined as having more body fat (adipose
tissue) than is optimally healthy.
Weight gain has a latency period. The effect that eating has
on weight gain can vary greatly depending on the following factors: energy (calorie) density of foods, exercise
regimen, amount of water intake, amount of salt contained in the food, time of
day eaten, age of individual, individual's country of origin, individual's
overall stress level, and amount of water retention in ankles/feet. Typical
latency periods vary from three days to two weeks after ingestion.
Being fat is a common condition, especially where food
supplies are plentiful and lifestyles are sedentary. As much as 64% of the
United States
adult population is considered either overweight or obese, and this percentage
has increased over the last four decades.
Gaining weight can cause the following effects, dependent on
the variable listed above, but are generally limited to:con
Increase in body fat percentage
Increase in muscle mass
Increase in body hydration levels
Increase in breast size
In more extreme cases:
A noticeably larger stomach
The abdomen will bulge outward and upward, creating a
distended midsection
Problems with above
Obviously this is purely hypothetical and takes no account
of calories burned, but the formula provides a rough estimate of how many
calories a person should increase their daily intake by.
Causes
In regards to adipose
tissue increases, a person generally gains ffrom wives to husbands, from brothers to brothers and from
friends to friends.
Weight gain is a common side-effect of certain psychiatric
medications.
Effects
Excess adipose tissue on a human can lead to medical
problems; however, a round or large figure does not of itself imply a medical
problem, and is sometimes not primarily caused by adipose tissue. If too much
weight is gained, serious health side-effects may follow. A large number of
medical conditions have been associated with obesity. Health consequences are
categorised as being the result of either increased fat mass (osteoarthritis,
obstructive sleep apnea, social stigma) or
increased number of fat cells (diabetes,
some forms of cancer,
cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). There are alterations in the body's response to insulin (insulin resistance), a proinflammatory
state and an increased tendency to thrombosis
(prothrombotic state).
Social perspective
In centuries past, a degree of plumpness has been seen as
indicative of personal or family prosperity: "Calories were scarce,
physical labor was hard, and most people were as lean as greyhounds.In particular, a married woman who was thin was pitied, as her shape showed
that her husband could not afford to feed her properly; conversely, having a
fat wife was a status symbol: there was plenty to eat, and she did not need to
work hard.[citation needed] Only in the early 20th
Century did fatness lose this appeal. The connection of fatness with financial
well-being persists today in some less-developed countries. Indeed, it may be on the rise.
Despite the connotations that excess weight had
in the past, it has for some time been seen as "unacceptable", in
contemporary Western society. An expansive marid-20th century, focusing on weight loss regimens, products
and surgeries. This market has been aided by the rising number of overweight
and obese
citizens in the United States. Data from the CDC's National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey, indicates that the average weight of women
between ages 30 and 60 has increased by 20 pounds, or 14%, since 1976. Among
women who weigh 300 pounds or more, the increase was 18%.
However, some research has indicated the opposite pattern.
It has been suggested that obesity among women residing in the U.S. has become more
socially acceptable.According to a study published in the July issue of Economic Inquiry, this is likely because more than one-third of women ages 20 and older are obese
in the United States. The study found that the average woman weighed 147 pounds
in 1994, but stated that she wanted to weigh 132 pounds. By 2002, the average
women weighed 153 pounds, but said that she wanted to weight 135 pounds.
"The fact that even the desired weight of women has increased suggests
there is less social pressure to lose weight," the researchers noted.
However, the difference between women's average weight and desired weight had
increased as well, putting their conclusions into question.
In any case, weight gain and weight loss are still charged
topics. The ever-present social stigma concerning weight gain, can have lasting
and harmful effects on individuals, especially among young women. These are
thought to include eating disordersand body dysmorphia.
Weight gain is seen in professional sports most notably in combat sports
because of their weight divisions. It occurs mostly in boxing, mixed martial arts, puroresu
and professional wrestling.
Causes of Weight Gain
Posted September 30th, 2008 by Site
Administrator in Health, Nutrition (No Comments »)
Are you putting on weight despite
your best efforts at eating well and staying fit? There are few things more
frustrating than working hard and not seeing results. But don’t lose hope.
There could be more culprits at play that are keeping you from
achieving your weight loss goals. Here are a few weight gain factors that you
and your caregiver
should pay attention to.
Medications Some medications may help you out greatly but have side
effects that cause you to put on weight. Remember, even if you do suspect your
medication is the problem behind your weight gain, never stop taking it without
consulting a medical professional.
- Steroids. Steroids
such as prednisone, often given to suppress inflammation caused by
arthritis, skin rashes and asthma, can cause you to retain more water than
you should and in effect put on weight.
- Antidepressants. If
you’re on an SSRI like Prozac or Zoloft,
you may be experiencing one of the common side effects, which is weight
gain. These medications can decrease your metabolic rate or can cause
hormonal changes leading to greater hunger.
- Diabetes medications. Diabeta and Diabinese, two medications often prescribed
to diabetics, cause sometimes cause weight gain. Be aware, however, that
other drugs prescribed for diabetes like Symlin can actually cause you to lose
weight.
