It's Not Easy: Midlife Weight Gain in Women
As a board certified menopause clinician, this is one of the most common questions I receive: "Is it age, menopause status, genes and/or lifestyle factors which is the cause of my increased weight and abdominal fat?" My curiosity pushed me to search the scientific literature to try and answer that question. And I must say that my initial impression about the cause of weight gain was very much altered by the time my reading was complete. I would like to share with you some of the most interesting and useful information I found. Each of these next three blogs will be devoted to age, hormones/menopause, genes, and finally what really works to help control or reduce weight.
Most of us are aware that increased weight can have a significant impact on health. What I came to learn was that weight gained in midlife had an especially high predictive value for breast cancer and diabetes. Among almost 50,000 nurses studied for up to 24 years, those that gained 22 pounds or more since menopause had a statistically significant increased risk for developing breast cancer. By contrast, those that lost 22 pounds (and did not use hormone therapy) had significantly less breast cancer than the rest of the women (Eliassen, JAMA, 2006).
In a study of some 7,000 Australian women aged 45-50, those who had a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to 25 (i.e. overweight) had a very significant increased risk of developing diabetes. The risk of diabetes was the highest for women who had a BMI of greater than 35. After following the women for eight years, this study concluded that the risk of diabetes was more closely linked with the body weight during perimenopause than any subsequent weight change (Mishra, Diabetes Care, 2007).
If you do not know your own BMI, try WebMD's BMI calcuator.
Coming next: Is Age Responsible for Weight Gain?
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: menopause, women's health, weight, obesity, breast cancer, diabetes, health and wellness
Most of us are aware that increased weight can have a significant impact on health. What I came to learn was that weight gained in midlife had an especially high predictive value for breast cancer and diabetes. Among almost 50,000 nurses studied for up to 24 years, those that gained 22 pounds or more since menopause had a statistically significant increased risk for developing breast cancer. By contrast, those that lost 22 pounds (and did not use hormone therapy) had significantly less breast cancer than the rest of the women (Eliassen, JAMA, 2006).
In a study of some 7,000 Australian women aged 45-50, those who had a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to 25 (i.e. overweight) had a very significant increased risk of developing diabetes. The risk of diabetes was the highest for women who had a BMI of greater than 35. After following the women for eight years, this study concluded that the risk of diabetes was more closely linked with the body weight during perimenopause than any subsequent weight change (Mishra, Diabetes Care, 2007).
If you do not know your own BMI, try WebMD's BMI calcuator.
Coming next: Is Age Responsible for Weight Gain?
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: menopause, women's health, weight, obesity, breast cancer, diabetes, health and wellness
4 Comments:
The University of Arizona Center for Physical Activity & Nutrition has been studying mid-life weight management in women for several years. The Healthy Weight 4 Life study helped 150 women develop positive behavior changes that has helped them lose weight effectively and maintain that loss for 6 years or longer. I was a participant in that study. The 16-week course based on this study is now available online at www.healthyweight4life.net. It is not a diet, but an intervention that will help participants manage a 1-2 pound a week weight loss and learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle. www.healthyweight4life.net, try it out!
I don't get it. You said people are asking "Is it age, menopause status, genes and/or lifestyle factors which is the cause of my increased weight and abdominal fat?" Why aren't they asking "Is it my high-calorie diet or my lack of exericise that makes me fat?" Age? Menopause? I don't think so. Age and menopause are no excuse for gluttony and sloth.
Read "Rethinking Thin" by Gina Kolata,science writer for the NY times. The scientific evidence is proving that it is much harder for some people to maintain a healthier weight than for others. It is shameful that Id shows ignorance and a lack of compassion for those that are overweight. Do you really think that the severely obese want to be that way? I am at a healthy weight, but I struggle daily. Scientific evidence is showing that genes are the main determinant of one's weight.
In addition to menopause, i quit smoking about 2 years ago. since quitting smoking and despite a low-fat, low-salt low-car diet and walking 3-4 miles a day I have gained 13-15 ponnds and can't get it off. Any suggestions.
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