Many middle-aged men think “gaining weight is inevitable,” according to a new study. The men in the study cited their job and family responsibilities as the main cause of their weight gain. They all agreed that “gaining weight was inevitable for them and few of the men recognized how their own eating habits impacted their weight gain.”

What they didn’t mention was the role hormones play in gaining weight.  Here are the answers to the two most frequently asked questions by men:

Q: What role do the hormones play in weight gain in men?

As men begin to gain weight, especially around the midsection (visceral adiposity), we will notice some consistent hormonal changes. First, testosterone levels begin to fall. This is in part due to an increase in estrogen. Fat cells contain an enzyme called aromatase that converts testosterone into estrogen. Your increased levels of estrogen can lead to breast formation in men and difficulty putting on muscle mass. Another hormone that increases in men with weight gain  is insulin, causing the cells to become resistant to glucose and making weight loss a formidable task.

Q: Why should a man get tested for low testosterone?

Low testosterone can cause unpleasant symptoms like weight gain, erectile dysfunction, foggy brain, sweating, and fatigue. A blood test can detect if these  symptoms are being caused by low testosterone or another health condition. Unlike women, who experience a sudden drop in hormone levels when they enter menopause, men’s testosterone levels decline gradually over time after 30. Andropause or low testosterone syndrome is usually a gradual process that eventually culminates in weight gain, lower libido and erectile dysfunction.

The Skinny Center uses a proactive approach and tests all of our male patients regardless of age with a simple blood test. This provides our physicians with the information they need to analyze the genetic markers and blood values that make up your unique body chemistry, and isolate hormone imbalances (testosterone) and their underlying causes. After the test, patients will then meet with our medical staff to discuss the results and set up a plan, as well as our nutritionist to create a customized weight loss program that will balance your hormones, including your testosterone, and minimizehealth risks and eliminate medical road blocks that can prevent you from losing weight.