What is the cause of abnormal weight gain, also known as obesity or excessive weight gain?

From the Guidelines

Abnormal weight gain should be addressed by consulting a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and implementing lifestyle changes, as it can result from various causes including hormonal imbalances, medication side effects, or lifestyle factors, and is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other health issues 1. To manage abnormal weight gain, it is essential to track your weight, diet, and physical activity for at least two weeks to identify patterns.

• Reduce calorie intake by 500-750 calories daily through healthier food choices like lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting processed foods and sugary beverages.
• Incorporate regular exercise—aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, starting with 30-minute sessions 3-5 times per week.
• Ensure adequate sleep (7-9 hours nightly) and manage stress through techniques like meditation or deep breathing. Medical conditions that may cause weight gain include hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, and depression 1. Medications such as corticosteroids, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and some diabetes medications can also contribute to weight gain 1. If weight gain is rapid, accompanied by other symptoms, or doesn't respond to lifestyle changes after 4-6 weeks, seek medical attention promptly as it could indicate an underlying health issue requiring specific treatment 1. Effective treatment and management of obesity require providing long-term, evidence-based, and high-quality healthcare services, including behavioral and psychological interventions, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery adjunctive to medical nutrition therapy and physical activity 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Use for weight loss in overweight adults, 18 years and older, when used along with a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Abnormal Weight Gain

Abnormal weight gain can be a significant health concern, and various studies have investigated its causes and treatments.

• Obesity is a chronic illness that requires a multifaceted personalized treatment approach, including lifestyle intervention, pharmacotherapy, endoscopic procedures, and surgical procedures 2.
• Lifestyle modifications, such as a moderately reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavior strategies, are first-line therapy for patients with overweight or obesity 3.
• Pharmacotherapy, including medications like orlistat and liraglutide, can be effective in achieving weight loss, with liraglutide showing greater effectiveness in some studies 4.

Treatment Options

Several treatment options are available for abnormal weight gain, including:

• Lifestyle modification and behavior interventions, which aim to achieve a modest weight loss of 5% to 10% that can be maintained long term 3.
• Pharmacotherapy, including medications like orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, naltrexone/bupropion, liraglutide, and semaglutide 5.
• Surgical options, such as bariatric surgery and endoscopic surgery, which can induce more durable weight loss than pharmacotherapy or lifestyle interventions alone 5.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the availability of various treatment options, abnormal weight gain remains a significant health concern, and further research is needed to address the challenges associated with its treatment.

• The optimal timing of obesity pharmacotherapy with surgical and endoscopic interventions requires further investigation 5.
• The use of multimodal or multihormonal pharmacotherapy is a promising tool to address the challenges of weight regain and weight loss plateau after surgery 5.