It is not unusual for women to gain weight as they approach menopause. This weight gain typically begins when women enter their 40s, which is approximately when perimenopause, the period of time leading up to menopause, begins, according to MayoClinic.com. On average, women gain one pound per year from perimenopause through the conclusion of menopause.
Hormones
Hormones fluctuate during menopause. This can cause fatigue and the loss of the desire to exercise. However, hormones are not the only culprits in menopausal weight gain. According to an article published on OxfordJournals.org a study that followed women after natural menopause and surgical menopause, or hysterectomy, found that 44 percent of women who completed natural menopause reported a weight gain of more than 4.5 kilograms, and 50 percent of the women undergoing a hysterectomy reported the same weight gain.
Eating More
MayoClinic.com notes that menopausal women often consume more calories than necessary. This excess leads to weight gain.
Decreasing Caloric Requirement
As humans age, the body requires fewer calories to perform the activities of daily living. Muscle burns a lot of calories each day, and as muscle mass decreases with age, so does the ability to burn excess calories consumed.
Genetics
If relatives, especially a mother or grandmother, gained weight during their 40s and 50s, chances are their descendants will as well. Genetic weight gain is predominantly concentrated in the abdominal area.
Weight Gain Not Inevitable
Knowledge is the key to understanding, and more importantly, avoiding menopausal weight gain. Maintaining an exercise routine and watching dietary choices can help keep the waistline in check.
