Weight Gain After 40 Reasons: Staying healthy in today’s unhealthy lifestyle is a big challenge. There is so much hustle and bustle that people neither have time to eat properly nor to sleep. As a result, many people experience a strange change by the time they reach the age of 40. Earlier, eating the same amount of food did not increase weight, now the same food and drink starts showing effect on the body quickly. Fat starts increasing around the waist and sometimes it seems difficult to lose weight despite regular exercise. Now the question arises, why does this happen? Does the body’s metabolism really slow down after 40 or is there some other reason behind it? Let us know what the Medicine Unit Head of GTB Hospital Delhi is telling about this. Dr. Amitesh Aggarwal-
Muscles start becoming weak with increasing age
According to the doctor, with increasing age the muscle mass in the body may gradually decrease. This is called sarcopenia. Muscles play an important role in the body’s energy consumption. When muscle mass decreases and daily activity also decreases, the body’s total energy needs may decrease. If the calories received from food remain the same, but the body starts spending less energy, then the excess energy can be stored in the body as fat.
Changes in hormones also affect
In women after 40, there is a change in estrogen hormone during perimenopause and later during menopause. During this period, there may be a change in the distribution of fat in the body and a tendency to increase fat around the stomach is seen. At the same time, testosterone levels can gradually decrease with increasing age in men. This change can affect the muscles and body structure. However, hormonal changes are not the same in every person.
Don’t ignore stress and sleep
After 40, stress and lack of sleep can also become common due to work, family and other responsibilities. Consuming less sleep can affect the regulation of hormones related to appetite and fullness. This can increase the desire to eat high-calorie foods and make it difficult to control weight. Decreased physical activity or emotional overeating during times of stress can also contribute to weight gain.
It is not right to consider only metabolism responsible
It is often said that after 40, metabolism suddenly becomes very slow. But the story of weight gain is not so simple. Apart from the physical changes that occur with age, less physical activity, diet, sleep, stress and muscle loss also play an important role.
Therefore, just starting to eat less is not the solution. Regular exercise along with adequate protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and a balanced diet is essential. In particular, doing muscle strengthening exercises at least two days a week can be beneficial.
When to contact a doctor?
If the weight is increasing suddenly and without any apparent reason, along with excessive fatigue, swelling, shortness of breath, unusual changes in menstruation or other symptoms, then a doctor should be consulted. In some cases, thyroid problems, effects of medicines or other health conditions can also be the reason for weight gain.