After a particularly traumatic life event, I had an unsettling change in my body. My lower body—hips, thighs, and buttocks—would gain weight even though I continued to maintain my usual routine. This was not just a cosmetic problem; it felt like my body was trying to tell me something deeper. Like most people, I had undertaken the quest to learn why individuals often gained weight following a stress in life, with many having been established to result from hormonal influences, lifestyle habits, or sometimes from some medical conditions.

For those assigned female at birth, a gain in the lower part of the body is generally related to hormonal influences, mainly estrogen. High levels of this hormone can make it more likely to store fat in the hips, thighs, and pelvis. Although this distribution may seem favorable compared to visceral belly fat—which carries higher risks for heart disease and diabetes—it may become a problem if it makes you fall into an unhealthy weight category.

Any hormonal imbalance, such as irregular periods or unexplained weight shifts, is a reason to discuss this with a healthcare provider. Treatments may include lifestyle modifications, such as cutting back on alcohol or adjusting medications like birth control, under professional guidance.

Stress and Its Effect on Lower Body Weight

Stress is a major contributor to sudden weight changes. It triggers the body's chronic stress response to increase the production of cortisol. Your body may, then store fat in regions, like the thighs and hips. When individuals go through stressful periods, their consumption patterns change or their physical activities become fewer, adding to this case.

The negative effect of stress, however, can be compensated for if one introduces practices that soothe and heal the soul. Techniques that include meditation, yoga, or just staying connected with loved ones can really do the trick. Professional therapy can provide tools to understand and effectively deal with stress.

Sedentary Lifestyle and Lack of Exercise

Modern life often confines us to desks and screens, drastically reducing daily physical activity. Over time, this can lead to fat accumulation in the lower body. The solution? Embrace movement. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio weekly and two sessions of strength training.

Even small changes—like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or pacing during phone calls—can add up. Consistent movement not only helps burn calories but also improves overall health, making it a cornerstone of fat management.

Diet and Nutrition to Balanced Weight

As metabolism slows with age, diet becomes more crucial. A diet rich in processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol will contribute to weight gain, especially in areas where your body naturally stores fat.

Replacing one's diet with nutrient-rich foods consisting of lean proteins, whole grains, and fiber-encrusted fruits and vegetables will allow for successful weight management. The Mayo Clinic notes that safely losing 1-2 pounds per week can be achieved by eliminating 500–1,000 calories from one's diet daily. Working with a dietitian will help establish individualized goals for creating lifelong change.

What is Lipedema?

If your lower body weight gain is resistant to diet and exercise, you may want to consider the possibility of lipedema. This condition is characterized by an abnormal buildup of fat in the lower body and is more common in individuals AFAB. It is often associated with hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.

Lipedema makes the legs heavy and bumpy sometimes causing discomfort. It may involve wearing compression garments, massage therapy that specializes in such conditions, or surgical procedures such as liposuction or bariatric surgery for more extreme conditions. Treatment options need to be consulted by a medical provider first to assess the correct approach.

Ways of Healthy Fat Distribution

Although you can't control entirely where your body stores its fat, developing certain habits can promote healthier fat distribution and risks mitigating that involve visceral fat:

• Choose foods that provide long-term energy with blood sugar spikes minimized.
• Eat healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and olive oil sustain general health without promoting extreme weight gain.
• Aim for 30 minutes every day to increase the intensity of exercise to get the best out of burning fat.
• Find activities that will bring mental and body comfort and avoid stress that leads to the storage of extra fats in the body.
• Prioritize sleep as much as possible sleep for six to seven hours to help your metabolism work well.
• Limit alcohol consumption because too much alcohol causes weight gain and hormonal imbalance.

Knowing the causes of lower body weight gain is the first step to addressing it. Whether it is hormonal changes, stress, or lifestyle factors, embracing sustainable habits can lead to meaningful improvements in your health and well-being.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding weight management and health concerns.

Your eyes could be giving you clues that your kidneys aren’t working the way they should. While most people associate kidney trouble with tiredness, swelling, or changes in urination, the effects can also show up in your vision. To understand this better, we spoke with Dr Manoj K. Singhal, Principal Director of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali.

5 Eye Symptoms Linked to Kidney Issues

The kidneys filter toxins and help maintain balance in the body. But when they start to weaken, some of the earliest signs may appear in unexpected places, like your eyes. Some of these symptoms, as per Dr Manoj are:

1. Persistent Puffiness

It’s normal to wake up with puffy eyes, but if the swelling doesn’t fade even after rest, it could point to protein leaking into your urine, a condition called proteinuria, which often signals kidney damage.

2. Blurred or Double Vision

Sudden blurriness may be tied to high blood pressure or diabetes—two major causes of kidney problems. These conditions damage small blood vessels in the eyes and can even lead to sudden vision loss.

3. Dry, Itchy Eyes

Many people with chronic kidney disease, especially those on dialysis, experience dryness or irritation in the eyes. This happens when mineral balance in the body is disrupted, leaving the eyes feeling gritty or uncomfortable.

ALSO READ: What Is Babesia That Could Block Your Lyme Disease Recovery?

4. Red or Bloodshot Eyes

Frequent redness can be a warning sign of uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes. In some rare cases, kidney-related conditions like lupus nephritis can also cause eye problems.

5. Difficulty Seeing Colours

Kidney disease can sometimes affect the optic nerve or retina, making it harder to distinguish certain colours, especially shades of blue and yellow.

When To Seek Help?

Not every eye problem points to kidney disease, but if these symptoms persist or worsen, it’s worth getting both your vision and kidney health checked. Routine eye exams can sometimes reveal early warning signs before bigger problems develop.

If you notice changes in your eyesight alongside other symptoms like fatigue, swelling, or urinary changes, don’t ignore them. Catching kidney issues early can make all the difference for both your eye health and your overall well-being.

ALSO READ: COVID-19 Is No Longer One Of The Top 10 Causes Of Death In US, What Diseases Remain In the Updated List

How To Protect Your Kidneys and Eyes

While some kidney issues are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and protect both your kidney and eye health, as suggested by Dr Manoj:

• Maintain a Healthy Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar: High blood pressure and diabetes are major risk factors for kidney disease. Regular monitoring and a balanced diet can help keep these in check.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water supports kidney function and helps flush out toxins.
• Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting salt, processed foods, and excess sugar.
• Exercise Regularly: Physical activity improves circulation and helps maintain healthy blood pressure, supporting both kidney and eye health.
• Avoid Smoking and Excess Alcohol: Both can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of kidney and eye problems.
• Schedule Regular Checkups: Routine blood tests, urine tests, and eye exams can help catch early signs of kidney issues before they worsen.

Taking care of your overall health is the best way to safeguard your kidneys. and your eyes from long-term damage.

Suicides are one of the leading causes of death around the world. While it is easy to say that the person who chose to take their lives did it of their own violation, Harvard psychologist Dr. Matthew Nock, explains the other side. “90% of people who try and kill themselves say, I didn't want to die per se. I wanted to escape from seemingly intolerable.” Speaking on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty, Dr. Nock pointed out that the link between work pressure and suicidal thoughts varies by race and ethnicity.

The concerning rise in suicide cases tied to work pressure has fueled a social media conversation about toxic work culture. What was once considered a normal part of the professional grind is now being openly challenged, as people share personal stories of the anxiety, depression, and isolation caused by unhealthy work environments.

What Professions Are At High Risk Of Suicide?

According to Dr. Matthew Nock, certain careers are linked to a higher risk of suicide.

Police Officers

He noted that physicians and police officers are among those at high risk. He mentioned a spike in suicides among New York City police officers, who are predominantly white men, and shared that female police officers, in particular, face a higher risk, even when accounting for factors like age, race, and ethnicity.

According to a 2025 study published in the Police Practice and Research, on average, 21.4 out of every 100,000 officers died by suicide each year.

The study showed that the suicide rate was much higher for male officers (22.7 per 100,000) than for female officers (12.7 per 100,000).

Physicians

Dr. Nock explained that access to means is a significant factor in these high-risk professions, which helps explain why physicians, police officers, and military members have a much higher risk of suicide compared to others.

Another study published in 2024 The BMJ, showed that the number of suicides among doctors has been going down, female doctors are still at a much higher risk than other people.

When looking at all the data, male doctors were found to have a 5% higher risk of suicide compared to the general population.

In a more recent analysis of the last few years, the overall suicide rate for doctors has decreased, which is good news. But even with this improvement, female doctors still have a 24% higher risk than the general public.

Why We Need To Talk More About Suicide

Dr. Nock stresses the importance of openly discussing suicide, particularly in schools. He compared it to fire drills or earthquake preparedness, saying that since 15% of people will experience suicidal thoughts, it's crucial to equip everyone with a safety plan..Dr. Matthew Nock said, "We know that asking about suicide, talking about suicide, does not make people suicidal."

He noted that the people who act on suicidal thoughts often show different signs than those who just have the thoughts. While depression is a strong predictor of having suicidal thoughts, other factors like anxiety, aggressiveness, poor behavioral control, and drug or alcohol use are more closely linked to a person actually attempting suicide.

He believes that a small educational module on suicide in health class could help save lives by teaching people what to do if they or someone they know is struggling.

While we all know air pollution affects our health, did you know that it was actually driving cancer cases higher? This has led to a big rise in health problems worldwide. Past studies show that air pollution is linked to about seven million premature deaths each year and contributes to over 3% of all years of healthy life lost globally. This revelation was a big concern for public health, and to fix it, many measures were taken.

While some countries like the US showed promising results in bettering public health, a recent study in the International Journal of Public Health showed that this positive trend is not yet showed up in China.

How Is PM2 Pollution Affecting Our Health?

One of the most dangerous types of air pollution is called fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. These tiny particles come from car exhaust, factory smoke, and even from the smoke created by burning solid fuels inside homes. Because they are so incredibly small, they can stay suspended in the air for a long time and, when we breathe them in, they go deep into our lungs.

Once inside the body, PM2.5 can cause inflammation and even change our genes, which increases our risk for many illnesses, especially tracheal, bronchial, and lung (TBL) cancers. A new study looked at how much PM2.5 pollution has affected TBL cancer rates in China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States from 1990 to 2021.

Has Pollution-Related Health Risk Decreased Everywhere?

The study, which used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project, found some important trends:

Overall Cancer Rates Are Declining

The good news is that globally, the number of deaths and years of healthy life lost due to TBL cancer linked to PM2.5 pollution are going down. This positive trend was consistent in all the countries studied: China, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.

China's Unique Challenge

Despite this global trend, China faced a much higher death rate from TBL cancer linked to PM2.5 compared to the other three countries. While their rates are decreasing, they still remain significantly higher than the worldwide average.

Household Pollution Hits Women Harder

The research also looked at pollution from burning solid fuels inside homes. The global death rate from TBL cancer linked to this type of pollution has remained stable, but it's actually increasing for women while it's decreasing for men. This highlights a specific danger for women in homes that rely on these fuels.

Will This Pollution Cancer Trend Keep Rising?

Looking ahead, researchers predict that the global death rate for TBL cancer caused by PM2.5 will actually increase over the next 29 years. However, the study notes that countries like China, South Korea, and the U.S. are expected to see a significant drop in their rates, while Japan's numbers are expected to stay about the same.

Overall, this study shows that while air pollution is a serious global health risk, the efforts to reduce PM2.5 exposure in many countries are making a real, positive difference.