Weight Gain - Unintentional - MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Weight gain – unintentional
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Weight gain – unintentional
Unintentional weight gain is when you gain weight without trying to do so and you are not eating or drinking
more.
Causes
Gaining weight when you are not trying to do so can have many causes.
Metabolism slows down as you age. This can cause weight gain if you eat too much, eat the wrong foods,
or do not get enough exercise.
Drugs that can cause weight gain include:
Birth control pills
Corticosteroids
Some drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression
Some drugs used to treat diabetes
Hormone changes or medical problems can also cause unintentional weight gain. This may be due to:
Cushing syndrome
Underactive thyroid, or low thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Menopause
Pregnancy
Bloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to
menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a
sign of dangerous fluid retention.
If you quit smoking, you might gain weight. Most people who quit smoking gain 4 to 10 pounds (2 to 4.5
kilograms) in the first 6 months after quitting. Some gain as much as 25 to 30 pounds (11 to 14 kilograms).
This weight gain is not simply due to eating more.
Home Care
A healthy diet and exercise program can help you manage your weight. Talk to your health care provider or
a dietitian about how to make a healthy eating plan and set realistic weight goals.
Do not stop any medicines that may be causing the weight gain without talking with your provider.
When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have the following symptoms with the weight gain:
Constipation
Excessive weight gain without a known cause
Hair loss
Feel cold more often than before
Swollen feet and shortness of breath
Uncontrollable hunger accompanied by palpitations, tremor, and sweating
Vision changes
What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and calculate your body mass index (BMI). The provider may
also ask questions, such as:
How much weight have you gained? Did you gain the weight quickly or slowly?
Are you anxious, depressed, or under stress? Do you have a history of depression?
What medicines do you take?
What other symptoms do you have?
You may have the following tests:
Blood tests
Tests to measure hormone levels
Nutritional assessment
Your provider may suggest a diet and exercise program or refer you to a dietitian. Weight gain caused by
stress or feeling sad may require counseling. If weight gain is caused by a physical illness, treatment (if
there is any) for the underlying cause will be prescribed.
References
Boham E, Stone PM, DeBusk R. Obesity. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th
ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 36.
Kumar RB, Aronne LJ. Obesity. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's
Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.
Maratos-Flier E. Obesity. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams
Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 40.
Review Date 7/19/2021

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW
Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003084.htm

Weight gain – unintentional

Drugs that can cause weight gain include:

Birth control pills

Some drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression

Some drugs used to treat diabetes

Underactive thyroid, or low thyroid (hypothyroidism)

Polycystic ovary syndrome

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Excessive weight gain without a known cause

Feel cold more often than before

Swollen feet and shortness of breath

Uncontrollable hunger accompanied by palpitations, tremor, and sweating

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

What medicines do you take?

What other symptoms do you have?

You may have the following tests:

Tests to measure hormone levels

Review Date 7/19/2021

Learn how to cite this page

standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

National Library of Medicine

National Institutes of Health

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