What Causes Weight Gain?

1. Diet: The quantity and quality of food in your diet has a strong impact on weight.

2. Genes: Some people are genetically predisposed to gain weight more easily than others or to store fat around the midsection.

Genes do not have to become destiny, however, and studies suggest that eating a healthy diet, staying active, and avoiding unhealthy habits like drinking soda can prevent the genetic predisposition to risk for obesity.

3. Physical inactivity: Exercising has a host of health benefits, including reducing the chances of developing heart disease, some types of cancer, and other chronic diseases. Physical activity is a key element of weight control and health.

4. Sleep: Research suggests that there’s a link between how much people sleep and how much they weigh. In general, children and adults who get too little sleep tend to weigh more than those who get enough sleep.

There are several possible ways that sleep deprivation could increase the chances of becoming obese.

Sleep-deprived people may be too tired to exercise, decreasing the “calories burned” side of the weight-change equation.

People who don’t get enough sleep may take in more calories than those who do, simply because they are awake longer and have more opportunities to eat.

Lack of sleep also disrupts the balance of key hormones that control appetite, so sleep-deprived people may be hungrier than those who get enough rest each night