What can cause unwanted weight gain?

Middle-age weight gain creeps up gradually, but its causes are no mystery, says Vonda Wright, MD. Wright reveals the 6 top culprits for middle-age spread, from too little sleep to too much sugar.

Transcript

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If you tend to eat a lot of potato chips and fried potatoes, you're likely to gain weight. Choose 100% whole grains and other complex carbs instead.

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I'm Doctor Vonda Wright. Has the number of too-tight clothes in your closet mysteriously multiplied?

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Gaining weight often occurs so gradually that you're not quite sure how it happened. A pound a year creep is the rule in North America,

00:33

but 20 years equals 20 pounds. Well, it's no mystery. These six things have the biggest impact on weight gain

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as you age. Potatoes-- if you tend to eat a lot of potato chips and fried potatoes,

00:49

you're likely to gain weight. Choose 100% whole grains and other complex carbs instead.

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Red meat-- all meat, regular or processed, makes you gain. Trade some of those burgers for non-fried fish.

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Sugar-- sugary drinks and desserts put on the pounds. So do other highly processed carbs, like white bread.

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You don't lift weights. Weight training builds muscle, which helps you burn more calories 24/7 than fat does.

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Lack of sleep-- many studies link poor sleep and weight gain. Aim for 6.5 to 8 hours every night.

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Watch too much TV-- watching 3 hours a day adds 5 pounds every 20 years.

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Turn off the tube. Change these habits, and you can stay your svelte self

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through middle age and beyond. For more tips to live better and longer, watch all our Health Smarts videos.