What is the link between hormones and weight?

• People who are overweight or obese have altered levels of these hormones, which promote abnormal metabolism and the build-up of body fat.

June 2020. Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate metabolic processes in our body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), our health depends, among other factors, on the proper functioning of the endocrine system, as it regulates the release of hormones essential for metabolism, growth and development, sleep and mood. Hormones also influence weight, because an excess or deficiency of them can lead to obesity, but obesity can also lead to changes in hormone secretion.

It is important to clarify that obesity is not just a hormonal issue; it is a chronic disease that requires long-term medical treatment. Its nature is complex and multifactorial, influenced by genetic, physiological, environmental and psychological factors, and it is associated with serious health consequences

The role of hormones

Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that secretes numerous hormones, such as leptin and insulin. Together with cortisol, growth hormone and others, these hormones influence increased appetite, metabolism (the rate at which the body burns calories for energy) and the distribution of body fat. People who are overweight or obese have hormone levels that promote abnormal metabolism and the build-up of body fat.

“Cortisol is one of the hormones with the greatest influence on weight, as it controls lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. When it is altered, it produces a phenotype characterised by visceral obesity, diabetes or insulin resistance and high blood pressure. This hormone also indirectly influences appetite by regulating other chemicals released during stress, such as CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) and leptin,” says Dr. Victor Nolasco, Medical Manager at Novo Nordisk CLAT.

According to Nolasco, leptin inhibits appetite, activates energy expenditure (fat loss) and affects numerous metabolic processes; insulin, on the other hand, is a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood and is key to controlling weight, as it determines whether you have more or less fat or build more muscle mass when the body synthesises proteins.

The different types of hormones not only perform vital functions in controlling certain biological processes in the body, but also shape behaviour and even mood, which influences how we eat and vice versa. A hormonal imbalance can lead to depression or to seeing and feeling reality differently. One of the main hormones affecting behaviour and mood is cortisol, which is responsible for triggering stress and anxiety.

“When we’re happy, our appetite is usually normal, whereas if we’re sad or tense it tends to decrease; but sometimes the opposite can happen and we binge,” said Nolasco, who stresses the need to work hand in hand with a medical professional to manage obesity as a disease requiring comprehensive care. The specialist also offers some practical recommendations which, combined with medical care, can help your endocrine system maintain a healthy balance:

• Get enough sleep: aim for 7-8 hours of sleep a day, as not doing so could contribute to weight gain.
• Stay active: at least three times a week. Going for a walk, jog or run helps clear your mind and release stress.
• Self-care: this is a time of little social activity, which can be an opportunity to eat healthily and attend to our personal needs.
• Strengthen social relationships: lean on friends and family, call them and talk to them. Share experiences and empathise with one another.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 95 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat obesity, haemophilia, growth disorders and other serious chronic diseases. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 43,200 people in 80 countries and markets its products in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.novonordisk.com Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube.