Weight Gain - Unintentional

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What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination, measure your weight, and ask questions about your weight gain, such as:

• time pattern
  • When did the weight gain begin?
  • Has it been sudden or gradual?
• quality
  • How much weight have you gained?
  • Has your appetite increased?
  • Has the amount or kind of food eaten changed?
  • Has physical activity level decreased?
• aggravating factors
  • Has physical activity been restricted due to illness or injury?
  • Has participation in social activities decreased?
  • Have stress or anxiety levels increased?
• accompanying symptoms
  • Is there fainting?
  • Is there uncontrollable hunger with palpitations, tremor, and sweating?
  • Is there a change in vision?
  • Is there increased sensitivity to cold?
  • Is there constipation?
  • Is there decreased urinary output?
  • Is there puffiness or swelling of face, feet and ankles?
  • Is there hair loss?
  • Is there shortness of breath ?
  • Are there change in sleep patterns, such as insomnia?
  • Is there muscle weakness?
  • Is there fatigue?
• additional important information for your physician:
  • What medications are being taken?
  • Do you use alcohol?
  • Do you use "street drugs"?
  • Is there a history of depression?
  • How is the body image--is there an awareness of weight gain? Does this cause much concern?

• nutritional assessment
• blood tests including chemistry profile
• if an endocrine disorder is suspected, hormone levels may be measured

Weight gain caused by emotional problems may require psychological counseling. There should be some discussion of an appropriate diet and exercise program as well as realistic weight loss goals. If weight gain is caused by a physical illness, treatment (if there is any) for the underlying cause will be prescribed.

If weight continues to be a problem despite diet and exercise, there should be some discussion with your health care provider about other treatment options including medications and surgery.