Is it possible to fight age-related obesity? (3 photos)

Why do people inevitably begin to gain weight after 40 years, and is it possible to maintain their former figure if such serious factors as hormonal changes and slow metabolism are against it?

Factors that lead to weight gain after 40 years





You can’t argue with a slowdown in metabolism and you can’t prevent it: it’s an inevitable natural process. On average, metabolic rate decreases by 3% after 40. That is, the body burns about 50 kilocalories less at rest. It would seem that the figure is scanty. But this way you can gain 2-3 kilograms in a year. To maintain weight, you need to review your usual diet and reduce the number of calories.



Another significant factor is loss of muscle mass. After the 50th birthday, the rate of its loss increases significantly: the body loses about 15% per year. But you should understand that this process is not momentary, and it starts after 30 years. According to the results of modern research, the difference in muscle mass between people before and after 40 years of age can vary from 15 to 40%. The only working way is sports and physical activity.



Another significant reason for weight gain is changes in hormonal levels. This is especially pronounced in women due to a decrease in the hormone estrogen. The transition to postmenopause is characterized by an increase in the amount of abdominal fat (the area of ​​the abdomen and internal organs) and the levels of glucose and insulin. The decline in testosterone in men begins after 30 years, but after 40 its amount decreases by about 1% per year. The first step should be a thyroid examination. About 1/5 of the adult population has problems with this organ, which is responsible for hormonal balance. To increase testosterone, training, a protein diet, and a stable psycho-emotional state without stress are effective.