Major hormonal changes: Puberty marks the beginning of transformations, potentially followed by pregnancy and breastfeeding for women, which profoundly alter metabolism and body composition. Menopause in women and andropause in men represent other pivotal periods with significant repercussions on weight management, particularly through the decrease in estrogen and testosterone production.
Lifestyle changes: Starting or stopping regular physical activity directly influences daily energy expenditure and body composition. Career changes, such as moving from a physically active job to a sedentary office job, can lead to gradual weight gain if diet is not adjusted accordingly.
Psycho-emotional events: Chronic work-related or personal stress raises cortisol levels, a hormone that promotes the storage of abdominal fat. Clinical depression and anxiety disorders can disrupt eating behaviors, leading to either loss of appetite or episodes of compensatory binge eating.
