Losing weight without trying is a common wish list item for many people. How many of us dream of easy ways to get rid of our love handles, beer bellies or thunder thighs? While it may be appealing to melt away the kilos without even trying, it’s important to ensure that there are no underlying medical reasons for this weight loss.
At times weight loss may be an indicator of serious underlying medical conditions.
This isn’t always the case however. Here are a few possible causes of weight loss:
- Hectic schedules – these days most people have hectic work schedules, which often leads to an unhealthy lifestyle. The stress that comes with many jobs, along with the added pressure of parenthood and family life may leave some people unable to cope adequately with the pressure.
- Skipping meals – this could be due to a fast-paced lifestyle or an eating disorder. Neither of these two causes are healthy ways of losing weight. If you suffer from an eating disorder you should get medical assistance from your GP as well as help from a psychologist, who could help you work through any underlying causes of this behaviour.
- Malabsorption of vital nutrients – when your body doesn’t get the nutrients it should, this may cause weight loss. Visit your GP for a thorough check-up to make sure your organs are functioning properly.
- Conditions affecting your gastrointestinal system
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes
- Aging
Each individual may experience weight loss differently. For instance, aging adults may experience weight loss as a result of a range of factors. This may be because of certain medications or even changes in appetite.
Weight loss may also be a complication in people with advanced heart and lung disease.
Endocrine disorders can lead to a hormone imbalance, which may have multiple effects on your body.
Unless you’re on a dedicated weight loss program, ensure that you know the reasons for any other weight loss you may experience.