Women often experience more difficulty with weight loss and other changes in their body composition after age of 40 and during menopause due to several physiological and hormonal factors.
1. Hormonal Changes;
• Decline in Estrogen: As women approach menopause, estrogen levels decline significantly, thus estrogen plays a role in regulating fat storage, particularly around the hips and thighs. when estrogen decreases, fat tends to accumulate more in the abdominal area, leading to changes in body shape and weight distribution.
• Increase in Cortisol: During menopause, there can be an increase in cortisol (the stress hormone). High cortisol levels can lead to cravings for high calorie foods and may also contribute to abdominal fat accumulation.
• Decrease in Progesterone: Progesterone helps with mood regulation and has a mild diuretic effect. a decrease in progesterone during menopause can lead to bloating, water retention, and changes in mood, which may affect eating habits and activity levels.
2. Metabolism Slows Down;
• As women age , their metabolic rate naturally slows, meaning their burn fewer calories at rest, thus this decrease in metabolism can make it harder to lose weight, even with similar dietary habits and exercise routines.
• the decrease in muscle mass that often accompanies aging further contributes to a slower metabolism, hence muscle burns more calories than fat, so losing lean muscle mass can make weight management more challenging.
3. Changes in Insulin Sensitivity;
• As women age, their sensitivity to insulin decreases. Insulin resistance (a condition where the body's cells no longer respond effectively to insulin) becomes more common as women approach and go through menopause. This leads to higher blood sugar levels and an increased tendency to store fat, especially around the abdomen.
4. Sleep Disruptions;
• Many women experience sleep disturbances around menopause due to hormonal fluctuations, hot flashes, and night sweats. Poor sleep quality can affect appetite regulating hormones like (leptin, and ghrelin), leading to increased hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods.
5. Changes in Activity Level;
• Aging may also bring lifestyle changes such as a decrease in physical activity. This could be due to joint pain, decreased energy levels, or other health issues that are more common after age of 40.
• Women may also have a higher risk of developing conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis, which can limit physical activity and exercise options, making it harder to burn calories and maintain muscle mass.
6. Psychological and Emotional Factors;
• The stress of managing life changes, career family responsibilities, and other pressures around the age of 40 can affect emotional eating habits. additionally, the frustration of not seeing desired results despite effort can contribute to a sense of helplessness or discouragement.
• Midlife can bring emotional stress due to changes in personal life, career, and physical appearance. Emotional or stress related eating can become a coping mechanism. The psychological challenges associated with aging, such as anxiety about body image, can lead to overeating or unhealthy food choices.
7. Health Conditions and Medications;
• As women age, they may become more prone to health conditions like thyroid imbalances (eg., hypothyroidism) that contribute to weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
• Medications prescribed for conditions common in midlife, such as antidepressants, blood pressure medications, or corticosteroids, may also contribute to weight gain.
What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.
Nice to meet you again.
0 Comments