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Our hormones are closely tied to our weight. Not only does weight significantly affect our hormones but certain hormones can affect how much we weigh. The interaction between our adipose (fatty) tissue and our hormones involves a series of complex feedback loops. For instance, there is a strong correlation between obesity and fertility. Obesity has detrimental effects on every system in our body including our reproductive system and fertility hormones. Due to the hormonal imbalances caused by obesity, obese women have a harder time getting pregnant naturally or through assisted conception compared to women of healthy weights. Women who are obese are also more likely to experience miscarriage and adverse pregnancy complications due to hormonal dysfunction which can prevent ovulation or cause failure in fertility treatments. Obesity is, therefore, a disruptor of female fertility. As expected, weight loss has beneficial effects on reproductive outcomes for these individuals.
The obesity epidemic in developed countries, particularly in the U.S., has exploded in the past 50 years. In the 1960s and 1970s, obesity levels changed relatively little as people filled their lives with healthy food and physical activity. By 1980, there was a sharp increase of 13.4% in obesity in adults, and 5% increase in children. By 2008, the prevalence had risen sharply to 34.3% for adults and 17% in children. Fast forward to today and obesity continues to skyrocket, tripling among children, and doubling among adults especially in the most recent years.
With technological advancements, including easy access to cars, planes, trains, computers, and smart devices, people are more sedentary, thereby causing an overall decline in physical activity. About 31% of the global population aged 15 and older do not engage in sufficient exercise. Over time, levels of exercise have declined while the collective intake of certain foods like sugary beverages (particularly sodas) and ultra-processed foods (high in calories, sugar, fat, and salt) has increased drastically. Unfortunately, junk food is often cheap and readily available at fast-food restaurants.
Although about 1.6% of the U.S. adult population struggle with being underweight along with its health challenges, more than a third of adults worldwide are overweight and about 42% of the U.S. adult population is obese. By 2030, an estimated 50% of all U.S. adults will be either overweight or obese and nearly one in four adults will be severely obese.
So what does it really mean to be underweight, overweight, or obese? How do you determine what your ideal weight is? Generally, weight is calculated based on the body mass index (BMI). The BMI is not a perfect measure of the amount of fat in your body; however, it is a universally accepted measure of the best estimate of your ideal healthy weight based on your height and weight:
o Class 1 Obesity – BMI of 30 to < 35
o Class 2 Obesity – BMI of 35 to < 40
o Class 3 Obesity – BMI of 40+ (also known as severe obesity)
Many hormones, including leptin, ghrelin, cortisol, estrogen, insulin, growth hormone, and thyroid hormone, are directly involved in the interaction between weight regulation and the endocrine (hormonal) system.
SEX HORMONES
Estrogens, testosterone, and progesterone are the main sex hormones responsible for reproductive health in females; however, they also play a role in determining our body fat distribution. Most estrogen is made in the ovaries. In pre-teen girls, higher estrogen levels lead to fat deposition around the breasts, buttocks, hips, and thighs. As women age, overall estrogen and progesterone levels decrease. This triggers metabolic changes that reduce metabolism and leads to excessive weight gain. Levels of estrogen synthesized in the ovaries also decrease with age and eventually the responsibility of production of estrogen shifts to the fatty tissues. High levels of estrogen in fatty tissue leads to the development of obesity-related disorders, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Progesterone in high doses, such as found in progesterone implants or injected progesterone contraceptives, does not directly affect weight; however, in some women, progesterone increases appetite, thus leading to over-eating and eventual weight gain. Low testosterone levels are associated with increased fat and obesity because obesity lowers testosterone levels.
Hormonal imbalance is a significant factor in obesity. People who are obese typically have an imbalance in hormones such as leptin, insulin, sex hormones, and growth hormones which affect metabolism, appetite, and fat distribution. This imbalance further affects metabolism and subsequently causes accumulation of fat. Obesity is the result of too much fat accumulation. Aging is another factor that can lead to weight gain. When women age, their hormone levels change and these changes can promote obesity.
Just as hormones can lead to obesity, obesity can also affect hormones. Fat cells (adipose tissues) are abundant in obese individuals and in obese postmenopausal women, these fat cells are responsible for estrogen biosynthesis. Estrogen is one of the most prominent female sex hormones responsible for many functions. Within the fat cells lie enzymes that can convert other hormones into estrogen. When estrogen dominates the body (estrogen dominance), it can lead to issues such as decreased ovulation, irregular periods, heavy menstrual periods, bloating, hot flashes, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, mood swings, decreased fertility, low libido, insomnia, and weight gain.
Obesity and excess body fat can contribute to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition where your cells do not respond well to insulin, and thus, cannot take up glucose from your body. Insulin resistance is caused by obesity, especially too much fat around the abdomen and organs (visceral fat). These fat cells can synthesize hormones as well as other substances that increase the risk of chronic inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can lead to insulin resistance, Type II diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Losing weight can help the body respond better to insulin.
Since there is a significant interplay between your hormones and weight, balancing your hormones can help you maintain a healthy weight, ensure optimal fertility, and promote overall wellbeing. Some things you can do to balance your hormone and improve your weight include:
Hormonal imbalance and obesity act in synergy to produce adverse health outcomes. Offsetting weight gain and fixing hormonal imbalances can reduce your risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and infertility.
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