Painonnousun

Painonnousun is a Finnish noun describing the gain or increase of body weight, commonly used in medical, nutritional, and athletic contexts. It covers increases in fat mass, lean mass, and body fluids and can be intentional (as part of a training or nutrition plan) or unintentional (due to illness, medications, or other factors).

Weight gain results from positive energy balance, where calories consumed exceed expenditure, and is influenced by hormones, genetics, activity level, and medications. It is measured by regular weighing, ideally under consistent conditions, and by body composition assessments when available. Slow, gradual gains are generally healthier than rapid increases.

In weight-class sports, controlling painonnousun is important, as athletes adjust intake and training to reach desired classifications while maintaining health. Clinically, sudden or excessive weight gain warrants evaluation.

Strategies for intentional painonnousun emphasize a modest caloric surplus, adequate protein intake, and resistance training to favor lean mass gain. A typical recommendation for lean-mass gains is about 0.25–0.5 kg per week, adjusted to the individual. Monitoring includes regular weigh-ins, body composition checks, and professional guidance to minimize fat gain and monitor health. If edema or rapid unintentional weight gain occur, medical advice should be sought.