Medical Reasons for Why You Can't Lose Weight

The 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reports that 66 million Americans are obese and 74 million Americans are overweight. Those results are astounding. Environmental and genetic factors play into why obesity is running rampant across the nation.

Hypothyroidism

• When the thyroid is under active, it doesn't produce enough of the hormones that regulate various biological processes, including metabolism. When not enough hormones are produced, the result is weight gain.

Metabolic Syndrome

• Metabolic Syndrome is a collective term for risk factors such as abdominal obesity, inability to use insulin, high blood pressure and high triglycerides. A person who suffers from any of those characteristics will have a difficult time losing weight without medical help.

Genetics

• Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia found various genes that are responsible for expressing obesity in children of specific family histories. These expressions manifested as higher Body Mass Indexes and waist circumferences, particularly in females.

Emotional Overeating

• The Mayo Clinic attributes weight gain to emotional eating, a psychological condition. Eating to fill a void or ease stress is a reason why some people gain weight and have a hard time losing the weight. Many people who are mentally distressed find comfort in food and don't account for the extra calories consumed.

Adrenal Exhaustion

• Chronic stress caused by work and home life can tap out the adrenal glands and release a hormone called cortisol, which is responsible for abdominal fat. Elevated levels of cortisol cause insulin resistance, which makes it hard for the body to shed excess weight.