What common metabolism problems cause weight gain?

Metabolism is the number of calories the body burns and is made up of three components: resting metabolic rate, physical activity and a smaller amount needed to process food.

Aging slows metabolism because you tend to be less active and may not maintain muscle mass as you age (muscle tissue burns a lot more calories than fat). Some women believe that menopause slows their metabolism. Technically, there isn’t a direct relationship. But age and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the lower metabolism that affects women of menopausal age.

Medical problems such as hypothyroidism may cause metabolism problems. With hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone. When the body's ability to produce the hormone is limited, there is a reduction in metabolism and weight gain can occur.

Also, losing weight can lower metabolism because a smaller body needs fewer calories to move it around.

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