Fighting excess weight by cutting back on calories does not work if the cause for your excess weight gain is a medical condition. Nutritionist Dr. Shikha Sharma says obesity could be linked to medical conditions such as:
* Hypothyroidism. The thyroid hormone regulates metabolism. If the thyroid gland is producing too little of it, your metabolism can slow down, causing weight gain.
* Cushing’s syndrome. If the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol it causes fat build-up in the face, upper back and abdomen.
* The contraceptive pill. “It increases the appetite temporarily, so if you watch what you eat in the month after starting on it, you won’t put on weight,” says Dr Sharma.
* Polycystic ovary syndrome: Indians are genetically prone to it, says Dr Sharma.
* Certain medications like anti-depressants, steroid medications for asthma, and high bp medicines can also increase weight.