Some medications taken to control or prevent depression, diabetes, hypertension and unwanted pregnancy can cause weight gain. Use of psychotropic medications, particularly anti-depressants, in the United States increased by about 5 percent between 1988 and 2002, according to a 2009 study in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. Hypertension drugs called beta-blockers have been linked to weight gain, as have treatments for Type 2 diabetes.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.
Amanda Chan was a staff writer for Live Science Health. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, and a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.
