Is it normal for menopausal women to gain weight

Weight gain in menopausal women is a normal physiological phenomenon. Weight gain may be related to changes in hormone levels, decreased basal metabolic rate, decreased muscle mass, lifestyle changes, genetic factors, and other factors.

Menopausal women experience a decrease in estrogen levels, leading to a shift in fat distribution from the buttocks and thighs to the abdomen, resulting in central obesity. Reduced estrogen levels can also decrease insulin sensitivity and increase the likelihood of fat accumulation. After ovarian dysfunction, thyroid hormone secretion may also be affected, further slowing down metabolic rate. As people age, muscle tissue naturally loses and their ability to burn calories through exercise weakens. Even if they maintain their original diet, they are prone to gaining weight. Some women experience reduced activity during menopause due to symptoms such as hot flashes and insomnia, or alleviate emotional fluctuations through high calorie diets, indirectly leading to weight gain. People with a family history of obesity are influenced by genetics, resulting in more active proliferation and differentiation of adipocytes, and a more pronounced trend of weight gain after menopause. Long term excessive stress can stimulate cortisol secretion, promote visceral fat accumulation, and exacerbate menopausal obesity. Menopausal women should maintain a balanced diet, increase their intake of high-quality protein and dietary fiber appropriately, and reduce refined sugar and saturated fat. Engage in aerobic exercise and strength training every week to help maintain muscle mass and basal metabolic rate. Manage stress with a regular schedule, and if necessary, undergo hormone replacement therapy or nutritional intervention under the guidance of a doctor to scientifically control weight gain.