Rapid weight gain: Why it happens and what to do about it?

A rapid weight gain is a term used to describe a situation when you add too much weight in a short time, and without changing your diet or physical activity. Often, the benchmark is 2-3 pounds/day or 5 pounds/week. Although it can feel overwhelming, there might be natural causes for this phenomenon, such as:

• Hormonal changes in puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.
• Lifestyle changes like excessive stress, quitting smoking, or poor sleep.
• Chronic dieting.
• Aging.
• Intake of certain medications.

Apart from natural causes, unintentional weight gain can also signal an underlying health condition, such as PCOS, insulin resistance, depression, or edema. That’s why it’s crucial to keep an eye on any accompanying symptoms and seek medical advice if you notice anything concerning.

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When you get on the scale and see a larger number than usual, it surely feels confusing, especially if you had no intention to put on weight. Or, even worse, if you’ve been actually trying to lose it.

Unexplained rapid weight gain, though it seems overwhelming, isn’t a rare phenomenon. There is no clear statistic on how many women are facing it. But we know for sure that it’s a common thing among females in different stages of their lives. Weight changes are typical during hormonal fluctuations, when your levels of estrogen and progesterone change throughout the cycle, during pregnancy, or in menopause. And there also might be other causes.

In this article, we’ll define what rapid weight gain is, why it can happen, and what you can do about it.

What Is Sudden Weight Gain?

It goes by many names – sudden, unexplained, or unintentional weight gain is a phenomenon when you put on pounds without planning to do so, and, furthermore, without decreasing your normal physical activity or increasing your calorie intake. 

Noticing slow and uneven changes in your weight throughout your life is normal. However, when you put on (or lose) pounds rapidly, it can also signal an underlying issue.

What Is Considered Rapid Weight Gain?

In medical terms, a rapid weight gain is a major increase in your body weight that occurs in a very short time. There is no explicit definition of what we can call a rapid weight gain. The general rule of thumb says that adding 2-3 pounds of weight a day (or around 5 pounds a week) is rapid. However, the exact number of what is abnormal is defined based on a combination of factors, including your age, initial body mass index, and others. Most healthcare providers will consider the possibility of an underlying health condition if you add 5% or more of your initial weight in a single month.

Common Causes of Rapid Weight Gain

There are many things that can cause women to gain weight without trying to. Let's look at the ? most common causes:

1. Hormonal Shifts

It’s no secret that female hormones are not stable throughout their lives. There are four main stages in the female lifecycle, during which it’s common to notice excessive weight gain:

• Puberty – When entering puberty, most girls start growing incredibly fast, gaining between 17% and 18% of their adult height. The fastest growth usually takes place about half a year before the first menstruation starts. And it’s not only height that changes. Body composition changes as well. Most teenage girls add more weight and fat rapidly, preparing for their menstrual cycle to begin. So if you notice unintentional weight gain while in puberty, that might be the primary cause.
• Menstruation – Right before periods, women have significant changes in their hormone levels, which can also make them suddenly gain extra weight. Also, fluid retention is a common symptom of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which can also contribute to weight gain. Generally, it’s considered normal to gain 3 to 5 pounds.
• Pregnancy – On average, women gain from 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. This is a natural process crucial for child growth and preparation for labor and breastfeeding. Still, too rapid weight gain can signal a problem, which is why it’s crucial to control your weight and talk to your healthcare provider in case of concerns.
• Menopause – Lastly, when entering menopause, women experience a significant decrease in progesterone and estrogen levels, marking the end of their reproductive function. Low hormone levels lead to a number of symptoms, one of which is rapid and unexpected weight gain.

2. Lifestyle Changes

Although unintentional weight gain implies that nothing has changed in your diet and physical activity, there might be other lifestyle changes that you didn’t take into consideration.

To be more specific, here are some changes that can directly impact your weight:

• Increased stress. A constant state of stress increases the level of cortisol in your body. This hormone impacts your blood sugar levels, enhances food cravings, and can urge your body to store more fat (especially in the abdominal area).
• Quitting smoking. Refusing such a massive habit as smoking is a huge stress for your brain and body. And it also affects your body composition. According to studies, nicotine speeds up fat metabolism, which is why gaining some weight rapidly after you quit smoking is considered normal.
• Poor sleep. Proper rest and sleep are considered crucial factors for weight loss because sleep doesn’t just provide you with energy, but also regulates the level of the two main hunger hormones – ghrelin and leptin. Respectively, when you don’t get enough sleep, it’s usual to feel hungrier than usual, eat more, and respectively, put on weight rapidly.

3. Chronic Dieting

If you notice excessive weight gain despite actually trying to lose weight, there might be one more reason called chronic dieting. This is a common phenomenon seen in people who are habitual to strict limitations in food and extreme calorie deficits, such as eating 600 calories per day.

At first, your body will respond to these limitations with a significant and rapid weight loss. However, if you do it all the time, your body will slow down energy expenditure and metabolism to protect itself. Eventually, this often leads to rapid weight gain.

4. Aging

Aging is another common cause of unintentional weight gain. With age, you naturally lose muscle mass, and your basal metabolic rate decreases.

In females, this primarily happens due to declining levels of estrogen. To prevent excessive gain, it’s important to refine your diet and increase physical activity. Additionally, increasing estrogen levels can also help you support optimal weight.

5. Underlying Health Conditions & Medication Intake

Last but not least, too rapid or excessive weight gain can also signal an underlying health condition. Most commonly:

• Hormone-related and endocrine conditions can stimulate weight gain. These include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance, thyroid issues, and similar conditions.
• Depression and your body weight are also closely linked. This mental condition can greatly impact your food patterns and choices. According to experts, people with depression have a higher likelihood of being obese. At the same time, people with obesity also have a higher likelihood of developing depression. So, it’s a vicious circle that can be rather hard to get out of.
• Finally, edema is one more condition that can result in excessive weight gain. This medical condition increases fluid retention in tissues (often in your lower body), which results in added pounds.

Apart from medical conditions, weight gain can also be caused by taking certain medications. In fact, it’s a common side effect of birth control pills, some antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, blood pressure medications, and corticosteroids.

Practical Tips for Addressing Unintentional Weight Gain

So, the causes of an unintentional and rapid weight gain can be different. Luckily, there are certain self-care and lifestyle strategies that can help you address this issue and prevent putting on too much weight.

Here are a few tips to try:

• Cut down the amount of processed and unhealthy foods that you consume.
• Limit or stop sugar intake.
• Consider alternative eating approaches such as intermittent fasting or eating smaller meals but more frequently.
• Find an enjoyable, low-impact activity that will help you increase your daily calorie expenditure. For example, walking or swimming can be good options.
• Practice meditation, journaling, mindfulness, and other practices to reduce your daily stress levels.

When to See a Doctor

As you now know, sometimes, adding some pounds is natural and not a cause for concern. However, sometimes, it can be caused by a significant health issue that requires personalized medical attention and a treatment plan.

So, how do you know when to call your healthcare provider? In most cases, unintentional weight gain that results from a medical condition is also accompanied by additional symptoms. Some things to watch out for include:

• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Hair loss
• Constipation
• Feeling cold
• Excessive sweating
• Heart palpitations
• Vision changes

If you notice any of these or other disturbing symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor to detect a possible health condition and receive proper care.

FAQ

Is it normal to gain 2 pounds in a day?

Generally, if there is no clear reason for that, such as consuming alcohol or eating foods that cause significant fluid retention, putting on 2 extra pounds in a day is considered a rather rapid weight gain. It could be a signal of an underlying issue.

What can cause a sudden weight gain?

Sudden weight gain can result from multiple factors. Most commonly, females can face this issue due to natural hormonal shifts (such as in puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause), lifestyle changes, chronic dieting, and aging. Sometimes, it can also be a result of an underlying health condition or certain medication intake.

When to contact a doctor about excessive weight gain?

Often, changes in weight are a normal occurrence that doesn’t require medical assistance, especially when there are hormonal, age-related, or lifestyle factors that could lead to it. However, it’s important to keep an eye on additional symptoms, such as hair loss, fever, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and others. If you notice anything that looks disturbing, it’s important to contact a healthcare specialist for a personalized treatment plan.

Conclusion

For many women, rapid weight gain is not just confusing but terrifying, especially if they are currently trying to lose weight. Nevertheless, it’s not rare and can be caused by natural reasons, such as aging, hormonal shifts, and others. On the other hand, sometimes, weight gain can be a sign of more serious health problems.

Luckily, after reading this guide, you should have a better understanding of the possible causes of unintentional weight gain and signs when you might need medical attention. Use this knowledge and the management tips we shared with you to maintain optimal weight and health!

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