It has been revealed that menopause and weight gain do not have to go hand in hand. Check out the latest reports about the matter below.
Weight loss and menopause
Are you under the impression that it’s impossible to avoid weight gain during and after menopause? That is not true at all. Despite what others might say, there are numerous ways to maintain an ideal weight and remain healthy as you age.
Although most Western countries have high obesity rates, and women usually gain about one pound per year between the ages of 40 and 65 (some even gain more than 10 pounds), this doesn’t mean women are destined to become obese as they age. It requires constant attention, but middle-aged women can
maintain a healthy weight. You can overcome the odds by entering menopause with a practical nutrition plan.
Menopause or aging to blame for weight gain?
According to The Menopause Society, midlife weight gain is not necessarily caused by menopause itself or hormone therapy used during menopause, as there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. However, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of weight gain during this time due to various other factors, according to endocrinologist Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade, M.D. at the Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Hurtado Andrade, who holds a doctorate in physiology and pharmacology, notes that experts cannot easily discern whether aging or menopause affects weight more during this period, as many factors are at play. Women go through various physical, psychological, and social changes throughout midlife, and the coinciding of aging and menopause makes this stage particularly significant for women.
As we age, our metabolism slows down, and during menopause, the decrease in estrogen levels causes women’s body fat distribution to shift. This shift leads to an increase in fat deposits around the belly, instead of the hips, as seen in younger women.
This excess fat in the middle region, called “central adiposity,” can increase the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions in women.
Aging also leads to a natural decrease in muscle mass, and most people tend to become less active as they get older. This can further weaken the muscles and make weight management more challenging.
“Maybe [due to sleep and mood issues] you don’t have the energy to exercise,” Dr. Hurtado Andrade said, “so indirectly the consequences of menopause could certainly be a factor in exacerbating those changes that occur already with aging. Menopause itself is not a direct effect on weight, but vasomotor symptoms and their negative
ramifications could certainly be a risk factor.”
The solution
It’s important for women to be aware that weight gain is a possibility and to take action by making necessary changes, according to Dr. Hurtado Andrade.
While increasing physical activity is helpful in weight control, research shows that dietary changes are more crucial than exercise. Controlling calorie intake is the key to losing and managing weight.
Dr. Hurtado Andrade explains that to lose weight, whether you’re a woman or man, a caloric deficit is necessary, which can be achieved by either consuming fewer calories or burning more calories.
