The biggest, most easily solvable at least where some discretionary funds are available, problem is metabolic syndrome/hyperinsulemia/insulin resistance combined with very bad information given to clients by doctors and nutritionists. A totally inexcusable failure to keep up with research, to have an emperical attitude and measure what can be measured inexpensively in a lab. This knowledge combined with compliance to a diet that is logistically difficult but simple to be on if you need to be would probably help (estimated by someone somewhere) at least 80% of overweight people. Weight gain is part of the diabetic process. You might not ever be classified as diabetic, but for many people, the process is there..that is why it is so hard to lose weight with some of the recommended diets...they are bad for you in your condition. A huge amount of public hysteria, often led by "experts" in medicine and nutrition has led people to believe their bones will crack, their kidneys will fail etc. despite all currently measured indices showing improvement for many people.

It is pretty simple. We all had ancestors. We have a specific metabolic blueprint. We may or may not know what it is depending on if we are Norwegian forever in the past, or Nigerian or whatever. Most of us are mixed so we really don't know. That blue print says how many caloric carbs we can metabolize for any given level of stress, pregnancy, exercise etc. Some of us can not metabolize caloric (sugars, starches) carbs in other than very small amounts..mine is close to zero per day...it gets worse as we age and as we defy our basic metabolism with too many carbs. Needless to say many of us did not evolve to eat white bread, noodles, etc.

So there is an insulin response to carbs..too many carbs for that particular individual..and it will vary..what is good for husband might be bad for wife etc....will result in too much insulin being released..then comes the cycle of crazing more carbs to soak up the insulin, releasing more insulin, etc. Insulin is a fat-storing hormone. If you have too much and too little exercise you will store fat.

Indications: overweight of course..but you can be at a good weight and still have it. Chipmunk cheeks. Midsection obesity. High triglycerides. You need to..everyone needs to...get their insulin levels checked...and if you tell your doctor or nurse this and they say do you mean your blood sugar level..they are not whom you should be seeing for advice. No..I mean insulin levels. Then compare it to your blood sugar levels. I think BS to I should be about 10 or so.

Stress will make all this worse.

It is idiotic to say that complex metabolism, probably involving every hormone in the body, is not involved. The body is doing the best it can with too many carbs for current exercise level, stress level etc.

Answer: get insulin level checked. Immediately get rid of all sugary drinks, including most fruit juice. Get rid of all white flour products. You may or may not need to go further in reducing carbs...try to find a medical person who knows what they are talking about. Some people, and I am one, have to have high fat low carb. Everyone is different. Everyone's needs differ. You must must must get help with this and good advice and the courage to ignore bad advice, which is most of what is out there. You can measure everything..some at home. Weight, waist circumference, energy levels etc.

Do not believe people who say it is only calories in and calories out. It probably is true for some people. Anything is true for some people. It is complex metabolism with fairly easy solutions, if you have enough time and money and energy to eat what you need to. It is harder for poor people of course, but there are options..substitute beans and lentils for white flour products. Give up all sodas.

I am only talking about starchy and sugary carbs, especially those that are highly ground and/or processed. High fiber carbs are good..some people can eat a fair amount of fruit and some must not.

Read books by Dr. Robert Thompson, others I can't think of now...Raven?? former head of endocrinology at UCLA I think...