Firstly, sleep deprivation can cause you to gain weight, as well as taking its toll on other aspects of your wellbeing. According to Dr Dan Dhunna, Harley Street GP and weight loss expert, ‘If you aren’t sleeping, then the body’s hormone axis won’t be working properly. This will affect metabolism and eventually lead to weight gain. And bear in mind that if you aren’t sleeping then your body won’t be digesting food normally either.’ Try to fix the problem by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day – even at the weekends – and avoid caffeine after 4pm.
If you’re on steroids, you can bloat up and develop a bigger appetite. In extreme cases, corticosteroids can even lead to Cushing’s Syndrome, in which your body produces too much of the hormone cortisol. Mr Christopher Wong, a surgeon at Spires Bristol Hospital, says, ‘Cushing’s sufferers find that their body distorts as they put on weight around the middle. They are often described as looking like lemons on sticks, as their bodies start to look disproportionate to their legs. To treat this, the steroids are withdrawn carefully with medical supervision.’
Wong also notes that depression can lead to weight gain. ‘The problem here is twofold,’ he says. ‘We have quite an emotional relationship with food in Britain so when we feel depressed, we tend to eat. But antidepressants can also stimulate the appetite as, when people feel happier, thanks to the medication, they will also overeat. It’s important not to use an increase in appetite as an excuse to eat the wrong foods.’ Rather, use healthy snacks, such as fruit, nuts and seeds, to stave off those pangs of hunger and see your GP for medication alternatives.
Finally, stress can cause hunger as the stress hormone adrenaline can cause your body to produce more cortisol. Dr Dhunna adds, ‘And when you’re stressed it’s tempting to turn to unhealthy ready meals, high-calorie snacks or alcohol. Stress can also make you feel lethargic, meaning you won’t want to exercise. All of these factors will take their toll on the waistline.’ He continues, ‘People who are stressed at work tend to laze around in bed at weekends, but that only makes it worse. Unless you eat within half an hour of waking up, then the body will go into fasting mode and store up the last meal in case you don’t eat.’