Weight gain during midlife: Does race/ethnicity influence risk?
Patress Ann Persons1, Lesley Williams2, Heather Fields1
1Mayo Clinic Arizona, Community Internal Medicine, 13400 E Shea Blvd, USA, Scottsdale, AZ 85259.
Maturitas
|May 4, 2024
Summary
Midlife women commonly experience weight gain, with higher rates in African American and Hispanic women. Exercise can reduce obesity risk, and focusing on cardiometabolic health may improve outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Women's Health
- Public Health
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Midlife women frequently experience anxiety about weight gain and body alterations.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for effective health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of weight gain and body changes on midlife women from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- To identify factors influencing these changes and inform clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on midlife weight changes.
- Analysis of cultural variations in body image perception and weight gain rates.
Main Results:
- Midlife weight gain is primarily linked to age, not menopausal status.
- African American and Hispanic women show higher rates of weight gain compared to Caucasian women.
- Hormone replacement therapy shows no significant impact on weight gain; exercise is linked to reduced obesity risk.
Conclusions:
- Cultural differences in body image perception necessitate tailored clinical approaches.
- Shifting focus from weight reduction to cardiometabolic risk reduction can enhance patient success and health outcomes.
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