Many women find it challenging to lose excess weight after the age of 45 due to a combination of factors and changes occurring in their bodies at this age. Throughout a woman's life, her weight fluctuates continuously, and women experiencing menopause may gain more weight in a shorter period and find it more difficult to lose that weight. The British newspaper Express spoke with Dr. Nitu Bagical, a senior consultant in obstetrics and gynecology in the UK with over 35 years of clinical experience in women's health, about the potential relationship between weight gain and menopause.
When asked about the reason behind weight gain in women as they age, Dr. Nitu explained, "Most adults tend to steadily gain weight between the ages of 20 and 65, with women in their early menopausal years noticing undesired weight gain and increased fat distribution in the body. This is accompanied by an increase in visceral fat, the most dangerous type of fat known to be associated with insulin resistance, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain lifestyle-related cancers."
Dr. Nitu added, "Hormonal fluctuations in the pre-menopausal period, along with sleep disturbances (for example, due to hot flashes and night sweats) and increased levels of anxiety or depression that appear during menopause, along with stress, make weight gain easier and loss more difficult." He explained that elevated levels of certain hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone released by the brain, along with decreased levels of estrogen, may be related to weight gain.
Regarding why some women find it difficult to lose weight as they age, Dr. Nitu stated, "Lifestyle factors such as dietary choices and a more sedentary lifestyle, especially as one ages, along with chronic stress or sleep disorders, play a role in weight gain over the years. Genetic tendencies and chronic lifestyle-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, can make weight accumulation easier and weight loss more challenging for some people."
Dr. Nitu continued, "It is also a stage in a person's life where one may eat out more frequently, consuming more calorie-rich foods, as well as salt, sugar, and fats, all of which contribute to a slight increase in weight over time, making it difficult to change."
