Menopause is often linked with weight gain, and it’s true that several factors can make maintaining a healthy weight a bit trickier during this stage of life.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s really happening and dispel some of the myths surrounding menopause and your weight.
Menopause and Weight Gain
Fact: Hormonal Changes Can Impact Weight
- Oestrogen’s Role: As women approach menopause, oestrogen levels naturally decline. Since oestrogen plays a role in regulating body weight, this drop can slow your metabolism slightly, making it easier to put on a few extra kilos.
- Where the Weight Goes: You might also notice those extra kilos settling in a different place – around your middle. This is a very common change during menopause and is linked to an increase in abdominal fat. While normal, increased abdominal fat does carry some potential health risks.
Fiction: Menopause Means Major Weight Gain
- The Average Picture: While putting on some weight is common during menopause, most women don’t experience drastic changes. Research suggests that women might gain an average of about 1.5 pounds (roughly 0.7 kilos) per year throughout the menopausal transition.
- It’s Not Just Menopause: Remember, our metabolism naturally slows with age in general. Lifestyle factors, like how active we are and our diet, play a significant role in our weight, even more so as we go through menopause.
Fact: Weight Gain Can Affect Your Health
- Understanding the Risks: It’s true that putting on weight during menopause can slightly increase your risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
- The Importance of Belly Fat: The type of weight gain matters. An increase in the specific type of fat around your abdomen (visceral fat), is of particular concern as it impacts your metabolism more directly and is linked to those health risks we mentioned.
Fiction: You Can’t Manage Your Weight After Menopause
- You’re Still in Control: While things may feel a bit different, it’s definitely possible to manage your weight and even lose weight after menopause. Smart strategies are key, and include regular physical activity, strength training (brilliant for boosting your metabolism), and a balanced diet focused on nutritious foods rather than processed ones.
- Seek Support: A doctor or registered dietitian can help you create a weight management plan that’s tailor-made for you and takes any health concerns into account.
Fact: Diet and Exercise Matter More Than Ever
- Nourishing Choices: A diet packed with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains gives your body the tools it needs to manage weight gracefully. Since your metabolism might be a touch slower, being mindful about portion sizes is also important.
- The Power of Movement: Making time for regular exercise is essential. Both aerobic activity (like brisk walking or swimming) and resistance training (using weights or your own bodyweight) help prevent weight gain and boost your overall health during menopause.
Fiction: Every Woman’s Experience is the Same
- You’re an Individual: Menopause affects everyone differently. Some women may find weight management more of a challenge, while others maintain their pre-menopause weight or may even find it easier to slim down a bit.
The Truth You Need to Know
While those changing hormones during menopause absolutely play a role in how your body stores fat, they don’t dictate your destiny.
Lifestyle choices remain incredibly powerful.
By eating well, moving regularly, and seeking support from knowledgeable professionals when needed, managing your weight is well within reach.
Remember, menopause is a journey, and every woman walks her own path.
Menopause Weight Gain: Understanding the Numbers
Average Weight Gain
- Gradual Changes: During the menopausal transition, it’s typical for women to gain around a pound (about 0.5 kg) per year.
- Perimenopause: The perimenopausal period (the years leading up to menopause) generally sees slightly more noticeable weight gain. Research suggests an average increase of around five pounds (roughly 2.3 kg).
- The Long View: Weight gain often continues at around 1.5 pounds annually (approx 0.7kg) throughout your fifties.
Important Note: Everyone’s Different
- Individual Variation: It’s important to remember these are averages. Some women experience more substantial weight gain, while others manage to maintain their pre-menopause weight.
- Geo Location Matters: Where you live also plays a role. For example in the United States, the prevalence of obesity among women aged 40-59 (which includes many menopausal women) is 44.7% in rural areas compared to 40.4% in urban areas.
How Your Body Composition Changes
- Where Fat Accumulates: Postmenopausal women have 20-25% more intra-abdominal (visceral) fat than premenopausal women. This type of fat is more metabolically active and is linked to higher health risks.
- Muscle Matters: Women can lose up to 5% of their muscle mass each decade after age 30. This loss may accelerate during menopause due to hormonal changes. This can make it a bit harder to manage your weight, even if your overall lifestyle doesn’t change.
Understanding Health Risks
- Heart Health and Beyond: Women with a waist size greater than 35 inches have a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. This risk increases after menopause.
- A Note on Obesity: Studies show that post-menopausal women, unfortunately, have higher rates of severe obesity than those who haven’t gone through menopause yet.
The Power of Lifestyle Choices
- Staying Active Helps: Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity) can help prevent weight gain and reduce the risk of obesity-related health problems.
- Understanding Your Energy Needs: On average, women need about 200 fewer calories per day after menopause. This means that to maintain their weight, they need to either eat less or increase their physical activity.
In Summary
While menopause often goes hand in hand with some weight gain, the amount varies greatly from woman to woman. On average, women might gain about 1 to 1.5 pounds (about 0.5kg to 0.7kg) annually during menopause, though some will experience more significant changes. Shifts in body composition, such as an increase in belly fat and a decrease in muscle mass, are also common. This highlights why healthy lifestyle habits, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, are so important during this time.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8569454/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8373626/
[4] https://www.obesityaction.org/resources/the-truth-about-menopause-and-weight-gain/
[5] https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a39850683/menopause-weight-gain/
[6] https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.17290?af=R
[7] https://www.verywellhealth.com/menopause-weight-gain-5184111
[8] https://www.worldobesity.org/news/blog-weight-gain-at-the-time-of-menopause