As women age, they tend to notice more fat around their bellies. This increase in belly fat can even occur in women who don’t gain additional weight. Average weight gain tends to gain about 1 pound a year during the transition to menopause, typically between ages 45 and 55.
What’s the reason behind this trend? Scientists believe it’s a combination of factors. A decrease in the female sex hormone, called estrogen, may play a role. Plus, the drop in estrogen happens around the same time in life when people tend to become less active.
This combination can result in less muscle mass, causing the body to use fewer calories.
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