Our increased appetite for TV and trans fats isn’t the only reason we’ve gained weight, according to a study in the International Journal of Obesity.

Here, Dr Wayne May gives other reasons our waistlines are expanding. Who knew?

1. Chronic stress

Stress can lead to relatively higher cortisol levels, which make you more prone to central weight gain – i.e. around the abdomen – with a resultant higher risk for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol problems.

2. Medicine

Some meds can cause weight gain by either increasing appetite (usual mechanism) or slowing metabolism (unusual). Culprits include anti-depressants, antihistamines, diabetic meds, mood stabilisers and steroids.

Read more: ‘Help! I married a feeder – and he likes his women big…’

3. Plastic

Bisphenol-A (BPA) falls into a group of substances called endocrine-disrupting chemicals – found in our environment, food and consumer products – that interfere with metabolism. Studies have shown acute treatments with BPA cause high insulin levels, whereas longer-term exposure causes insulin resistance with chronically increased insulin levels. BPAs seem to increase fat-cell formation, but the extent to which they contribute to obesity is still unclear.

4. Older moms

Women who conceive later in life are more prone to gestational diabetes, and children born to these mothers will be more prone to obesity and diabetes (mere exposure to high glucose levels in pregnancy equals higher risk).

Read more: The best way to lose weight when you just love food too much

5. Contraception

It’s been shown that women who use the injection are more prone to weight gain. But no hard evidence supports the standard combo Pill resulting in similar gains.

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthsa.co.za}

^{Image credit: iStock}