Sudden, noticeable weight loss canhappen after astressful event, although it can also be a sign of a serious illness.
It's normal to lose a noticeable amount of weight after the stress of changing jobs, divorce, redundancy or bereavement.
Weight often returns to normal when you start to feel happier, after you've had time to grieve or get used to the change.Counselling and support may be needed to help you get to this stage.
Significant weight loss can also be the result of aneating disorder, such as anorexiaor bulimia. If you think you have an eating disorder, talk to someone you trust and consider speaking to your GP.There are also several organisations that can provide you with information and advice, such as the eating disorders charity Beat.
If your weight loss wasn't due to one of the causes mentioned, and you didn't lose weight through dieting or exercising, see your GP, as you may have an illness that needs treating.
The following information may give you a better ideaof the cause of your weight loss, butdon't useit to diagnose yourself. Always see a GP for a proper diagnosis.
Your body weight can regularly fluctuate, but the persistent, unintentional loss of more than 5% of your weight over6 to 12 months is usually a cause for concern. Losing this much weight can be a sign ofmalnutrition, where a person's diet doesn't contain the right amount of nutrients.
You should pay particular attention if you experience other symptoms, such as:
Unintentional weight loss does not always have an identifiable underlying cause but, in addition to the causes already mentioned,it's often the result of:
Less frequently, unexpected weight loss may be the result of:
Page last reviewed: 1 February 2019Next review due: 1 February 2022
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Unintentional weight loss - NHS
