If youre a woman between the ages of 35-55 and youve noticed a little extra weight around your midsection, you're not alone. According to statistics, almost 90% of women in this age group experience weight gain during menopause. Obviously, this is not pleasant news for any woman to hear, but the upside is that it may not be your fault.
Research findings show there are multiple reasons why you may be packing on the pounds. Causes for weight gain during menopause may include the following:
- Fluctuation of hormones that can increase appetite and slow down your metabolism.
- Insulin resistance which causes your body to store all calories as fat. (Typically occurs in women over the age of 40.)
- The hormones activated when a woman is experiencing stress during menopause can contribute to weight gain.
Excessive weight gain during menopause can be avoided. Be sure to eat a balance of healthy foods that include whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Try eliminating refined white sugar, caffeine and alcohol, which can contribute to your weight gain and increase the severity of your menopausal symptoms.
Increase your water intake and get plenty of exercise. Staying active and fit will not only keep you from gaining weight during menopause by increasing your metabolism, it will also keep your bones strong and help decrease the chances of developing osteoporosis.
