Weight is not just about willpower

If you have tried to lose weight before and found it hard, you are not alone, and it is not a personal failing. Body weight is shaped by many factors, and many of them are outside our direct control.

What influences weight?

• Genetics and biology. Our bodies regulate appetite and energy use in complex ways, and these vary between people.
• Hormones and medical conditions. Conditions such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can affect weight.
• Medications. Some commonly used medicines can contribute to weight gain.
• Sleep and stress. Poor sleep and ongoing stress can affect appetite and food choices.
• Environment. Work patterns, food availability and access to safe places to be active all play a part.

Why see a GP?

A medical approach to weight starts with understanding your situation. Your GP can:

• check for medical causes or contributing conditions
• review your medications
• look at related risks such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and liver health
• connect you with dietitians, exercise physiologists or psychologists
• discuss medical treatment options where clinically appropriate, including their benefits, risks and costs

Focus on health, not just the scale

Improvements in health markers like blood pressure, blood sugar, fitness, sleep and mood are meaningful outcomes in their own right, even when changes on the scale are modest.

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This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. If you would like support with your weight, please book an appointment.