Question 200 of 433
Why am I gaining weight around the middle, and what can I do?
The short answer
Falling estrogen moves fat storage from the hips to the abdomen, and muscle is lost faster. The answer is strength training and protein, not eating less and less.
Women lose muscle more quickly in the menopause transition, which lowers the calories they burn at rest. Severe dieting makes it worse by sacrificing more muscle. Lift weights twice a week or more, eat protein at every meal, limit alcohol, and protect sleep. Hormone therapy is not a weight-loss treatment, but it helps prevent the shift toward belly fat. GLP-1 medicines are an option for women with obesity, with the muscle precautions described in Part 11.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
HUMAN TRIALS / OBSERVATIONAL — Midlife women: activity and nutrition support function and weight management; mechanisms are multifactorial.Evidence grade (draft mapping)CObservationalPart 14, Q200 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.