When it comes to being overweight, eating might not be the cause of packing on the pounds. Some people, because of hormonal or metabolic imbalances, may actually eat less food than other people, but still cant lose unwanted extra pounds. However, there are blood and urine tests to identify and help with such problems.
One cause of hormonal imbalance can be the secretion of too much insulin by the body, which in turn may be an early sign of the onset of one type of adult diabetes. All persistently obese persons who are not overeating should be screened for diabetes, some specialists believe, because excess insulin promotes fat storage and may also cause feelings of hunger.
Other metabolic disorders associated with obesity include disorders of the thyroid gland and an insufficiency of thyroid hormone, as well as disorders and over-secretion of the adrenal gland.
There are reliable blood and urine tests to identify each of these problems, and treatment is possible for all of them. A careful physical exam and laboratory screening may identify those who gain weight even while they watch theyre calories.
Robin Westen is ThirdAges Health expert. She writes about health for national magazines. Check for her daily updates.
See what others have to say about this story or leave a comment of your own.
