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The life stages of a woman are nothing but a set of physical and psychological changes beginning with puberty and ending with old age, but here we will talk today in our next lines about the age of 40 and the most important reasons that make a woman in that period suffer from weight gain…so let us go.
The most important causes that lead to weight gain after reaching the age of 40 for women
The most important causes that lead to weight gain after reaching the age of 40 for women
As we mentioned before, during this stage of life a woman goes through a number of variables and causes that lead to weight gain. It is worth noting that these causes are as follows:
First: low estrogen levels
Low estrogen levels
During this age stage, the female body undergoes many major hormonal changes, as a state of decline occurs in the levels of estrogen, which is one of the most important female hormones, which peaks at the age of 20, but decreases by about 50% in the late 40s and early 50s.
It is worth noting that the hormone estrogen controls the distribution of fat, and when it decreases, this may change the way fat is distributed in the body. Instead of accumulating it in the buttocks and thighs, it is possible for women to experience the transfer of fat to the abdominal area, which causes overweight.
In addition, low estrogen can also affect metabolism as the body can switch from burning fat to storing fat. So even if a woman eats the same amount of food and does the same amount of daily activity, her weight can still gain during perimenopause or postmenopause.
Second: decreased muscle mass
Decreased muscle mass
Depending on activity level, lifestyle and diet, the rate of muscle loss can vary from woman to woman. However, all women find it difficult to gain muscle in their late 30s or 40s as they lose most of their muscle mass as they age.
This matter may also result from a decrease in estrogen levels. It is worth noting that muscles become more active in the metabolism process than fat, so a decrease in muscle mass also means a decrease in the metabolic rate, and then the body will burn fewer calories during rest than during rest. Before.
So even if women eat the same amount of food during their 40s, they can still gain weight due to the extra calories.
Read also: 8 common physical changes that affect women after the age of 40
Third: Low bone density
Low bone density
As most of us know, osteoporosis is a very common disease among middle-aged women, as this is due to low levels of the hormones testosterone and estrogen.
As an example, testosterone is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, fat cells, and skin cells in women. It should be known that it is also known as the male hormone, but it plays a very important role in maintaining bone health in women.
It is worth noting that the amount of testosterone produced in the female body is only about 5% to 10% of the testosterone produced in the male body, but with age, testosterone decreases and can then lead to decreased bone density.
As for the hormone estrogen, it regulates the bone metabolism process in both men and women, which directly affects bone cells, but when this hormone decreases, it will lead to these cells not producing enough new bone or maintaining bone structure. .
In general, you should know that bones have a very active metabolic activity, but as bone mass decreases initially, the total body weight will decrease, and because of the decrease in metabolism, women gain excess fat over time.
Fourth: Psychological problems
Psychological problems
The middle age stage is associated with psychological crises for many and varied reasons, as most women suffer from stress as they age, and face many difficulties when caring for teenage children, in addition to the possibility of facing various obstacles related to work and life in general. It is worth noting that fluctuations in the levels of progesterone and estradiol during the premenopausal period lead to the exacerbation of these symptoms.
In addition, mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations can cause insomnia, as sleep is a very important factor in weight control. It is important to know that lack of sleep not only increases the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) in the body but also interferes with digestion and eating habits, which leads to weight gain. Therefore, taking care of mental health should be a top priority for women entering their 40s.
The most important solutions for women to overcome weight gain at the age of 40
There are several solutions and suggestions that women can overcome by taking them over the problem of weight gain when they reach 40 years of age. It is worth noting that these solutions are:
– Proper healthy nutrition
Proper healthy nutrition
When a woman works on… Following a balanced diet can significantly reduce the effects of problems that occur when you reach the age of 40. It is important to know that balanced and healthy nutrition also helps prevent diseases.
One of the best simple methods for proper nutrition here is the necessity of committing to eating seasonal fruits, foods rich in protein, dairy products rich in calcium, whole grains, and healthy fats from nuts and egg yolks.
As for foods that should be avoided, we can mention processed foods, sugary drinks, or fried foods with artificial flavors.
– Doing exercise
Doing exercise
Exercise helps a lot and directly in managing hormonal changes. It is worth noting that with the release of endorphins that result from physical exercise, this will play an effective role in calming the mood. Therefore, when women reach the age of 40, they should have a healthy and regular training plan.
In general, regular exercise helps burn excess calories while ensuring that the bones remain healthy thanks to physical activities. Therefore, increasing lean muscle mass and bone health will help maintain or enhance metabolism and thus avoid weight gain. In addition, these exercises also help prevent cardiovascular diseases and maintain healthy weight patterns.
