Why do some people gain weight even if they don’t eat?
In recent years, discussions about "you will get fat if you drink water" and "you will not gain weight no matter how you eat" have become hot topics on social platforms. Many people complain that they are gaining weight even though they eat very little, while others eat a lot but stay slim. What scientific principles are hidden behind this phenomenon? This article will analyze it from multiple perspectives such as metabolism, genes, and living habits, and sort out popular relevant data in the past 10 days to uncover this mystery for you.
1. Metabolic differences: basal metabolic rate is the key

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) refers to the minimum energy expenditure required by a person to maintain life in a resting state. Research shows that the level of BMR directly affects weight changes. The following table lists the BMR comparison of different groups:
| Crowd type | Average BMR (kcal/day) | weight trends |
|---|---|---|
| People prone to obesity | 1200-1500 | Easy to gain weight |
| normal population | 1500-1800 | relatively stable |
| People who are not prone to obesity | 1800-2200 | Not easy to gain weight |
As can be seen from the table, the basal metabolic rate of people prone to obesity is generally low, and even a small amount of calories may be converted into fat due to insufficient consumption.
2. Genetic influence: the existence of obesity genes
Scientific research has found that certain genetic variants significantly increase the risk of obesity. For example, the FTO gene is known as the "obesity gene" and carriers are more likely to store fat. In the popular research in the past 10 days, the following genes are closely related to obesity:
| Gene name | Influence mechanism | Related research interest |
|---|---|---|
| FTO gene | Promote fat accumulation | high |
| MC4R gene | Regulate appetite | in |
| PPARG gene | Affects fat metabolism | low |
3. Lifestyle Habits: The Trap of Invisible Heat
Many people think they are "undereating," but they may actually be eating a lot of hidden calories. Here are the easy-to-ignore high-calorie foods that have been trending on social media lately:
| food name | Calories (per 100 grams) | Common misunderstandings |
|---|---|---|
| juice | 45-60 kcal | Mistakenly thought to be healthy, but actually high in sugar content |
| nuts | 600-700 kcal | Overeating |
| salad dressing | 300-500 kcal | Ignore condiment calories |
4. Hormones and Stress: Side Effects of Cortisol
Elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol promote fat accumulation, especially abdominal fat. A recent survey showed that 70% of people who are chronically stressed have "stress obesity."
5. Solution: Scientifically manage weight
Regarding the problem of "you will gain weight if you don't eat", experts suggest:
1.Increase muscle mass: Muscle consumes much more calories than fat, and strength training can increase BMR.
2.Pay attention to food quality: Choose low GI, high protein foods and avoid processed foods.
3.manage stress: Reduce cortisol levels through meditation, exercise, etc.
It can be seen from the above analysis that weight management is the result of multiple factors. Instead of complaining about "physical problems", it is better to adjust your lifestyle from a scientific perspective and find a healthy way that suits you.
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