Weight Management

It’s frustrating, but true. Most women gain weight as they age due to hormonal changes that result in increased estrogen levels and other factors. Roughly two-thirds of women ages 40 to 59 and nearly three-fourths of women older than 60 are overweight, which is defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2. On average, middle-aged women gain 1.5 pounds per year. This might not sound like a lot, but it adds up over time and puts you at increased risk for chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. 

Fortunately, there is good news – the additional pounds can be prevented. Lakes Regional Healthcare provides several options to manage your weight: 

Nutrition Counseling

Meeting with our Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can help you develop a personalized, achievable plan to facilitate weight loss or maintain your weight. You can receive creative and out-of-the-box strategies to help with meal planning, grocery shopping and mindful eating.

Hormone Therapy

The loss of estrogen during midlife leads to an increase of fat, especially around the midsection. Mindfully eating a healthy diet as well as exercise are necessary for weight management. Although estrogen used for management of menopause symptoms is not a weight-loss drug, it can sometimes improve body composition by reducing abdominal fat. 

Medications

Some medications, including antidepressants, which are commonly prescribed to midlife women, can promote weight gain. Weight-loss medications may be an option for some women. Our family medicine providers may suggest different medications to improve your likelihood of maintaining weight, along with eating a healthy diet and frequent physical activity. 

For more information, talk to your healthcare provider.