Water Weight
Temporary fluid retention that can mask true fat loss on the scale.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Your body weight can fluctuate 1-3 kg daily due to water retention from salt, hormones, or carbohydrates. This is not fat gain — it is temporary water weight.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Water comprises 50-60% of body weight. Glycogen storage binds 3-4g water per gram. Hormonal fluctuations (menstrual cycle, cortisol) and sodium intake drive short-term fluid shifts independent of fat mass changes.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Understanding water weight prevents discouragement from daily scale fluctuations. Focus on weekly trends and body measurements rather than daily weigh-ins.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.
