Menopause is strongly associated with weight gain in a majority of women aged above 50. During menopause, women commonly put on weight in various parts of their bodies, especially the belly. This is strange because younger women tend to gain weight around their hips.
Causes for Weight Gain in Menopause
Weight gain during menopause could be due to major changes in lifestyle. Hormone also have a major role to play although science still has a lot to understand about hormonal changes at menopause.
Menopause marks the end of a woman's ovulations and her monthly menstrual cycles. Now, her body produces less of estrogen, which causes ovulation. Low estrogen is linked with weight gain. Studies done on animals have shown this to be true. Low estrogen, then, is the reason for the way in which bodies of women change at menopause.
Changes in the Body during Menopause
While women tend to store fat around their hips when younger, they begin to store fat in their bellies, like men do, during menopause. This makes women vulnerable to coronary disorders.
Muscles turns to fat at a faster rate in both women and men as they advance in years. The rate of metabolism also slow down. If you don't change your eating habits in accordance with the changes in your body, you will rapidly gain weight. An older person just does not require as many calories as he or she once did.
Hormone Therapy
Sometimes, menopausal effects are controlled by estrogen therapy. Studies have revealed the fact that hormone therapy does not lead to more weight gain. A few women experience side effects such as water retention and bloating during the early phases of hormone treatment.
While hormone therapy reduces the risk of coronary disorders by reducing belly fat and cholesterol levels, studies have also revealed that hormone therapy is closely associated with breast cancer.
Weight Loss Tips
If you find yourself battling fat during menopause, you could try the following tips: Eat a low-fat, fiber-rich, healthy, and sugar-free diet.
When people grow older, they tend to become sedentary. They no longer have to run around getting a myriad chores done. They no longer take active holidays and, as a result, become generally slow. You need regular physical activity, especially during this time. Do thirty minutes of moderate exercises in order to stay fit.
Maintain the strength of your muscles. You can strengthen your leg muscles by walking or cycling and your arm muscles by lifting weights.
Accept yourself and the changes that are taking place in your body. You may, after all, not be as overweight as you think you are.
Before beginning any diet or exercise regime, consult your family doctor. Ensure that you do not have any medical disorders. Your physician will be able to help you deal with any menopausal symptom that you find distressing.