warum nehme ich immer mehr zu — when to see a doctor?

The question of why you are steadily gaining weight despite a seemingly balanced diet is usually multifactorial. The most common causes are a calorie surplus (often from hidden sugars and fats in processed foods) and lack of physical activity. Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, Cushing's syndrome, or side effects of medications (e.g., antidepressants, corticosteroids) can also contribute. Additionally, poor sleep, chronic stress, and an imbalanced gut microbiome have been linked to weight gain. You should see a doctor if the weight gain is unexplained, persists despite diet and exercise, or is accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, cold intolerance, water retention, or mood changes. A primary care physician can perform basic tests (blood count, thyroid hormones, blood glucose, cortisol) and refer you to an endocrinologist or nutrition specialist if needed. Direct-to-consumer genetic tests (such as MyBody-X) cannot reliably explain weight gain; their polygenic risk scores for obesity have limited predictive power and are not clinically validated. They are no substitute for medical evaluation. Seek immediate medical attention if weight gain is sudden, severe, or accompanied by pain, shortness of breath, or vision changes.