Most women in their middle years try to prepare for slower metabolism associated with menopause, which might result in weight gain. But, although it might seem dismal and inevitable, scientists at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) assert that women aren’t destined to put on weight as they age.

Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health Dr Ekta Kapoor said that weight gain is something midlife women have to deal with due to a lack of proactive measures towards regular exercises and healthier food. Therefore, women must be equipped with the knowledge and useful advice on minimizing and controlling weight gain before starting menopause.

Weight gain is inevitable later in life

Due to decreased brown fat metabolism and declining muscular mass, the body’s metabolic rate decreases significantly as people age in both genders. Menopause’s prevalent side effects, including sleep issues and mood swings, can increase these impacts and make it more difficult to control your weight.

Additionally, being overweight raises the likelihood of developing chronic illnesses like hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, heart disease, and breast and uterine cancer, in addition to worsening hot flashes.

Diet more instrumental in weight loss 

With information and evidence continuing to increase and support less focus on trendy diets promoting unhealthy eating, the caloric deficit remains the simplest way to lose weight. While eating initially has a greater effect on weight loss than exercise, it becomes crucial as time goes on since diet-induced weight loss might plateau.

A long number of additional advantages of physical activity include stress reduction, better sleep, and preservation of muscular strength. Different drugs are available, but many factors, including side effects, toxicity, and cost, restrict their usage. Bariatric surgery is a possibility in fewer instances, but it may cause issues that last a lifetime.

NAMS medical director Faubion said that as women become older and enter menopause, they have a harder time maintaining their weight, but they’re still things they can do to fight the problem. For example, when recommending weight control to menopausal patients, healthcare practitioners can utilize the information from their presentation.