In the recent decades, increasing preference for packaged food, uneven eating habits, overeating and physical inactivity have led to the drastic increase in the obesity or overweight across the world.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global obesity has tripled since 1975. It is estimated that around 30% of the total population will be obese in 2020.
Owing to these festering figures of overweight or obesity, almost every person in the world, now-a-days, is eagerly welcoming weight loss.
People are accepting weight loss without further ado, even if they are losing the weight for seemingly no reason.
How Much Weight Loss is a Concern?
If you have set out some exercise goals to lose some weight and you are experiencing the fat burn, then you are on the right path. But, if you are losing weight without trying, then it’s time to worry about that.
If you lose at least 5% of your body weight in less than 6 months for seemingly no reason – it’s time to meet a doctor, says Anne Cappola, MD, an endocrinologist and professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
For instance, if you are at 180 pounds and you lose 9 or 10 pounds in six months to a year, that’s a sign that something’s not right with your health.
Doctors exclaim that unexplained or unintentional weight loss is anchored with an underlying health condition ranging from cancer to hyperthyroidism.
There are many reasons for unintentional weight loss and here, we bring some of the most common explanations.
1) Cancer:
Cancer is considered to be the one of the main causes for unintentional weight loss. Around 40% of cancer patients revealed that they witnessed rapid weight loss at the time of diagnosis.
Several types of cancers including lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer or tumors in stomach, can lead to inflammation or malabsorption issues that may result in drop in weight.
2) Hyperthyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism arises when thyroid gland releases high amounts of thyroxine hormone. This will increase the body’s metabolism and eventually leads unintentional weight loss.
3) Depression:
In almost every case, depression is accompanied by reduced appetite and weight loss. The person with depression make lose interest in food intake, in turn, resulting in weight loss. Even though depression is not a weakness, one cannot overcome it as it may require long term medication.
4) Diabetes:
Diabetes leads to excess sugar in blood. The kidneys will filter the sugar and excrete it, as the body is unable to absorb the sugar. So, rather than getting utilized for the fueling muscles and bones, the sugar gets excreted, leading to weight loss.
5) Celiac Disease:
Celiac disease occurs when the digesting gluten attacks the small intestine. This hampers the small intestine from absorbing nutrients properly, leading to weight loss.
6) Addison’s Disease:
Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands produce insufficient amount of cortisol or aldosterone hormones. The insufficient adrenal hormones lead to poor appetite and weight loss.
When to Consult a Doctor?
It is very normal that your body weight keeps changing. However, if you are losing weight without altering food habits or any exercise goals, then an underlying condition is affecting your body.
If your body weight drops by 5% in 6 to 12 months, consult a doctor.
Word of Advice:
In the contemporary era wherein the burden of chronic diseases is rapidly increasing, it’s imperative for every being to track their weight, calories and heartbeat, among many others, regularly.
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