Obesity is a condition wherein an individual has too much body fat and it increases the risk of several other diseases and health conditions. These include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea and certain cancers. Obesity is considered to be the new global health epidemic which has reached alarming levels, with nearly 40% of the adult population worldwide being classified as overweight or obese.

There are several reasons that can cause obesity, one of them being hormonal imbalances. Speaking to Times Now, Dr Mahak Sharma, Chief of Lab (Gurugram) at Metropolis Healthcare Limited shares how hormonal imbalances play a pivotal role in the development and persistence of obesity.

Dr Sharma said, “The growing body of research points towards the connections between hormones like insulin, leptin, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones and obesity. It is now being emphasised that hormonal regulation of appetite, fat storage and energy metabolism is a key driver of obesity, particularly when hormonal dysfunction goes unrecognised or untreated.”

Hormones help in the regulation of various functions including metabolism, hunger, fat storage and energy use. It is important to have a balance of these hormones as ut helps in maintaining a healthy body weight.

“When this balance is disrupted by factors such as genetics, environment or unhealthy lifestyle, it can lead to significant uncontrollable weight gain. Understanding the relationship between hormonal imbalances and obesity is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies for those affected.

Link Between Insulin Resistance And Obesity

One of the most well-established connections between hormonal imbalance and obesity lies in the role of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, it is known as insulin resistance, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes and is strongly associated with obesity.

People with insulin resistance find it difficult to regulate blood glucose, leading to higher circulating blood sugar levels and more fat storage, particularly around the abdomen. As fat accumulates, insulin resistance worsens, creating a vicious cycle of weight gain and metabolic dysfunction.

Leptin which is also known as the “satiety hormone” and is produced by fat cells, signals the brain when the body has sufficient energy stores, thereby reducing hunger and food intake. However, many obese individuals develop leptin resistance, where the brain no longer responds to leptin’s signals.

As a result, the brain perceives a state of starvation which causes increased hunger and food intake. Leptin resistance can be aggravated by poor sleep, stress and a diet high in processed foods. This hormonal imbalance also leads to the people facing difficulty in controlling their appetite and losing weight, even when consuming fewer calories.

Cortisol which is also known as the “stress hormone” is produced by the adrenal glands and is another key player in the hormonal imbalance that leads to obesity. While cortisol has several important functions, chronic stress can lead to persistently increased cortisol levels which are linked to abdominal obesity.

Elevated cortisol also leads to fat storage, especially around the organs which is linked to a higher risk of metabolic diseases. Along with fat storage, cortisol also increases your appetite and cravings for high-calorie, high-sugar foods, often called stress-induced eating.

Thyroid hormones play an important role in regulating the body’s metabolism. Hypothyroidism, or insufficiency of thyroid hormones, is a condition which is often linked with weight gain as the body’s metabolic rate slows down, leading to fatigue, cold intolerance and weight gain.

Even mild hypothyroidism can lead to significant weight gain and difficulty in losing weight.

In women, oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. This affects fat distribution and metabolism. High oestrogen levels can lead to increased fat storage, escpecially around the hips and thighs.

This is often found in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and women taking oral contraceptive pills. Hormonal imbalances related to PCOS, which affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age, can also cause insulin resistance and obesity. As oestrogen levels decline during menopause, many women experience a shift in fat storage from the hips and thighs to the abdomen, which is often accompanied by weight gain.

Dr Sharma said, “Understanding the role of hormones in obesity is important for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.”

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