Why do I gain weight even though I have poor digestion and eat a lot?

Generally, eating a lot without proper digestion and subsequent weight gain may be caused by genetic factors, an unreasonable diet structure, insufficient physical activity, gastrointestinal dysfunction, chronic pancreatitis, and other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the specific cause and receive targeted treatment. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Genetic Factors

An individual's metabolic rate and the efficiency of the digestive system may be influenced by genetics. If someone in the family has a slower metabolism or a sensitive digestive system, these traits may be inherited, leading to overeating accompanied by indigestion and a tendency to gain weight. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including balanced nutrition and regular exercise, can help improve metabolic rate and promote digestion.

2. Unreasonable Diet Structure

Consuming excessive oily, spicy, raw, or cold irritating foods, or eating overly refined foods that lack dietary fiber in daily meals may affect the digestive function of the gastrointestinal tract, potentially leading to weight gain and symptoms such as bloating, constipation, and stomach discomfort. It is recommended to adjust the diet structure by increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, while reducing the consumption of irritating and high-calorie foods.

3. Insufficient Physical Activity

Long-term lack of exercise can result in limited energy consumption, underused muscles, and a decreased basal metabolic rate. Even with poor digestion, ingested food may easily be converted into fat and stored in the body, potentially causing symptoms like physical fatigue and muscle laxity. Increasing physical activity, such as engaging in aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, or swimming, can help promote gastrointestinal motility and energy expenditure.

4. Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

The primary causes of gastrointestinal dysfunction mainly include irregular eating habits and gut microbiota imbalance after intestinal infections. These factors may slow down the movement of food within the digestive tract, affecting normal digestion and absorption, thereby causing excessive eating with poor digestion and a tendency to gain weight. Symptoms such as bloating, constipation, nausea, and vomiting may also occur. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as mosapride citrate tablets, rebamipide tablets, and lansoprazole enteric-coated tablets to alleviate symptoms.

5. Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis can be caused by long-term alcohol abuse, gallstones, and other factors. The pancreas is a vital organ responsible for secreting digestive enzymes, and chronic pancreatitis may lead to insufficient secretion of these enzymes, affecting the breakdown and absorption of food, thus causing excessive eating with poor digestion and a tendency to gain weight. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatty stools may also accompany. It is recommended to follow a doctor's guidance and use medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated tablets, cefixime granules, and prednisone acetate tablets for treatment.

It is also recommended to control portion sizes at each meal, follow the principle of eating smaller meals more frequently, and consume more fiber-rich foods such as oats and celery to promote intestinal motility and aid digestion.