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What Causes Weight Gain During Menopause?

According to one study, an average weight gain of around 4 lbs. to 9 lbs was observed in women during their premenopausal and menopausal stages. The study also concluded that such increase in weight also lead to health complications such as heart disease and increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. (Wang, 97)

Causes of Weight Gain During Menopause

The reason for this increase in body weight during menopause is attributed to many changes that occur during this period in a woman's life, thus leading to weight gain.

One of the reasons why women in their menopause stage commonly gain weight is because of the hormonal changes that their bodies undergo. Because of the decrease in estrogen in the body as women age, there is a tendency to gain weight as a result of this, as estrogen regulates body weight. The weight gain is mostly concentrated in the stomach area, rather than in other parts of the body. (Lobo, 10)

It is not only menopause per se that causes this weight gain, but other factors that relate to aging. Lifestyle changes, such as the tendency to be more sedentary during the menopausal age as well as increase in food intake because of extreme contentment or dissatisfaction with one's life also contribute to weight gain during menopause. These factors are also combined with the loss of muscle mass in the body as one grows old, as well as decrease of metabolism as one grows older. (Keller, 987)

How to Prevent Menopausal Weight Gain

To prevent the weight gain that is associated with menopause, it is important for women to decrease their food intake in proportion to the amount of exercise or physical activity they do. An increase in physical activity and exercise are also helpful in counteracting the effects of menopause and aging, as it has been found that women who exercise during their menopause years gain the least amount of weight.  (Korht, medscape.com)