Significant weight gain presents a variety of health risks to women. Women who are overweight may experience high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They are at increased risk of developing breast or colorectal cancer; type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease. A woman who gains significant weight can also have more problems with joint and bone disease.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes in middle age can cause women to gain weight, according to MayoClinic.com. As women age, their metabolism begins to slow down. When a woman does not cut back on the number of calories she consumes or exercise more to compensate for the changes in metabolism, weight gain occurs. Although it's normal for women to gain weight during their middle years, burning off fewer calories and less fat will continue to add on the pounds. Taking steps to speed up your metabolism means including a healthy balance of diet and exercise in your daily regimen.
Menopause
Menopause is a leading cause of weight gain in women, as the changes in hormone levels can make it harder for a woman to maintain a healthy weight. A woman is also more likely to gain more fat content at the same time she is losing muscle mass. Sometimes women crave more food and unhealthy snacks as the hormones in their body fluctuate during menopause, which only makes the problem worse.
Stress can also cause a person to eat more and exercise less. Stress in general has been shown to cause weight gain in women who experience changes in hormone levels.
Poor Sleep
The findings of a study reported in the "International Journal of Obesity" suggests that sleep problems in women may be related to weight gain. The same does not appear to be true for men. Since middle-aged and older women often sleep poorly, research implies a link between sleep deprivation and weight gain in women older than age 40, although the reason remains unknown. One obvious explanation may be that lack of sleep results in decreased energy. Not only does this make you less likely to exercise, but you may reach for something sweet to give you a quick boost of energy. When your body is tired, your metabolism slows as well.
Prevention
There are steps a woman can take to help prevent weight gain. Regular exercise including both aerobic and strength-training exercises are needed to burn calories and build muscle mass. While the stresses on the body during menopause make it more difficult for a woman to build muscle mass, regular strength-training exercise can help. It's important for a woman to find ways to keep moving, especially after menopause. Post-menopausal women also need to eat fewer calories each day. Eating smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day can help you to control your weight.
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