Most adult women at one time or another have struggled with their weight, and recent research suggests that weight gain in women differs from that of men. There are many reasons why women put on the pounds and some of the factors that lead to weight gain in women are surprising.
Here are a list of 10 causes for weight gain that specifically affects the female population.
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Women are required to gain weight during pregnancy. However, many women consume too many calories when they are expecting. Guided by the idea of “eating for two,” many women overeat and gain more weight than is recommended by the medical community. A healthy woman with an average body weight should eat an extra 300 calories.
During menopause, the hormonal changes may cause an increase in appetite and lead to weight gain. Your changing body composition may also make it more difficult to lose any excess weight.
3. Not Eating Enough
Studies indicate that more than 50% of the population of American women are dieting at any given time. Yet, the quest to lose weight often can do more harm than good. A reason why many women gain weight is because they don’t eat enough. When you aren’t consuming enough food, the metabolism slows down and the body begins to store fat.
4. Eating “Low-Fat” Foods
Female dieters may be seduced by packages with the words “low-fat” printed on them. However, these low-fat foods often contain as many calories as normal food items. Regularly consuming fewer than 20% of your daily calories from fat will put your health at risk in many ways. A diet too high in fat can also lead to problems—heart disease, diabetes, cancer and weight gain.
5. Lack of Fiber