Are you struggling to lose weight, even if you’ve committed to a diet and exercise program? You’re not alone. Many people find that no matter what they do, they just can’t seem to shed those stubborn pounds. When weight loss doesn’t come easily, it’s necessary to take a closer look at what’s influencing your body composition. Weight is strongly influenced by both genetic makeup and your environment. This can be disheartening, but there is hope. At WildBerryMD in Tucson, AZ, we offer a variety of weight loss options that will help you overcome your genetic predispositions and environmental influences.

How Your Genes Influence Your Weight

Researchers have identified over 400 genes that play a role in a person’s predisposition to becoming overweight or obese. Your genes can direct how hungry you feel, how quickly you feel full when eating, and even which foods you crave. Metabolism—how quickly you burn calories—is also influenced by genes, as is determining which parts of your body tend to store the most fat.

Of course, the extent to which genes influence body weight varies from one person to the next. For some lucky individuals, genes may only comprise 25% of a person’s tendency toward being overweight. For others, it’s as high as 80%.

It’s not always easy to determine exactly where any one person falls on that spectrum. However, if you’ve been overweight for most of your life and you have a family history of obesity, it’s likely that genes heavily influence your weight. The same is also true if you’ve tried dieting and exercising for months without seeing significant results. Those who find it relatively easy to maintain a healthy weight range likely have a lower genetic predisposition toward weight gain.

How the Environment Influences Your Weight

If you have both a genetic predisposition to being overweight along with environmental influences, it can be even more difficult to shed those unwanted pounds. There are a variety of possible environmental influences, ranging from chemicals and toxin exposure to behavioral influences. Some environmental factors are beyond your control. For example, babies born to mothers with diabetes and those who smoked while pregnant are more likely to become overweight.

Exposure to chemicals and toxins can also influence your weight. These are known as “obesogens,” and they include chemicals such as tributyltin (TBT) and phthalates. Phthalates in particular are virtually ubiquitous, as they are used in many plastic and personal hygiene products. These types of environmental toxins can affect your weight by influencing how much fat your body stores. They can disrupt your hormones, which can affect your appetite.

Your environment can also influence your behavior. For instance, high-calorie, processed snacks are readily available in the U.S. Because these unhealthy foods are so accessible and convenient, people are more likely to eat too many of them. These habits are often learned in childhood. Children who eat an unhealthy diet and have a sedentary lifestyle are likely to continue these habits into adulthood.

Overcome Your Genetic and Environmental Influences

If you’re genetically and environmentally inclined to gain weight, it’s even more important to reach out for professional help. At WildberryMD, we have a range of evidence-based weight loss tools that will empower you to reach your health goals. From peptides, fat burner injections, and appetite suppressants to gut restore products, body detox support, and medical supplements, we’ve got everything you need to overcome the obstacles to weight loss.

Don’t wait another day to reclaim your health. To schedule an appointment with our expert staff at WildBerryMD, call (520) 762-1557 or send us a message here.