Weight Gain: Is It Midlife or Menopause?
Prevention US|August 2022
If your body has started to pack on pounds, you may wonder why it's happening. Here are some answers.
LAUREN STREICHER, M.D.
Weight Gain: Is It Midlife or Menopause?

Besides hot flashes, one of the main things that gets women in the door of our clinic, the Northwestern Medicine Center for Menopause, is weight gain that feels out of control. And guess what? I've observed that among our patients, the women having that symptom tend to be the same ones who are having hot flashes.

In fairness, it's not just menopause that brings on extra pounds. I've always told my patients that even if they eat and exercise the same way as they did in their 30s, they'll see the number on the scale start to climb. In fact, both men and women gain weight during midlife until it stabilizes around age 60.

Metabolism shifts contribute, but not to the degree that you might think. The belief has been that metabolism slows with age, but a study released in 2021 suggests that it doesn't slow down until age 60, and then only by about 1% a year.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PREVENTION USView all
Take a Breather - Follow along to increase your peace.
Prevention US

Take a Breather - Follow along to increase your peace.

With so much hustle and bustle packed into just a couple of short months, this time of year can feel overwhelming-but you can tame the pandemonium and focus on joy with a little bit of quiet "me time" spent meditating. "Taking a few moments to ground yourself, find your center, and reconnect with the present can make all the difference in calming the chaos," says Lindsey Benoit O'Connell, a certified meditation teacher and founder of The LAB Wellness. We asked her to write a quick guided meditation just for you.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Tomato and Feta Baked Eggs
Prevention US

Tomato and Feta Baked Eggs

Upgrade your morning with this flavor-packed, fuss-free meal.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
BEST SNACKS for People With Diabetes
Prevention US

BEST SNACKS for People With Diabetes

WORRIED THAT YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GET YOUR SNACK ON WHILE MANAGING DIABETES?

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
5 Best GLUCOSE METERS
Prevention US

5 Best GLUCOSE METERS

WHETHER YOU ARE PREDIAIBETIC OR HAVE TYPE 2 OR TYPE 1 DIABETES, maintaining steady blood glucose levels is key to feeling your best.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Your Diabetes QUESTIONS, Answered
Prevention US

Your Diabetes QUESTIONS, Answered

DIABETES IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CHRONIC ILLNESSES IN THE COUNTRY, with nearly 15% of adults dealing with some form of the disease.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
MY DIAGNOSIS I Knew My Chest Pains Weren't Normal
Prevention US

MY DIAGNOSIS I Knew My Chest Pains Weren't Normal

ER doctors sent her home several timesuntil she nearly died.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Kitchen Mishaps 101
Prevention US

Kitchen Mishaps 101

Expert tips for dealing with accidents and how to stay safe

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
HINKING DRINKING
Prevention US

HINKING DRINKING

It turns out that what we thought we knew about the health benefits of a daily tipple might have come from skunked science. Here's a fresh look, without the beer goggles.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
MEET THE EXPERTS Nerding Out on Nutrition
Prevention US

MEET THE EXPERTS Nerding Out on Nutrition

A registered dietitian discusses how good food makes good health possible.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
5 MYTHS ABOUT VAGINAS
Prevention US

5 MYTHS ABOUT VAGINAS

Let's clear up a few persistent (and shameinducing) ideas about grooming, scent, and more.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024