Midlife weight gain: challenges and solutions

Understanding the interplay between aging, hormonal changes, and lifestyle factors is crucial for effective obesity management in midlife and menopausal women. This review is timely given rising rates of obesity and associated comorbidities, the rapid evolution of pharmacologic interventions for obesity, and the growing recognition of the impact of midlife weight gain on women's long-term health.

Weight gain in midlife women is primarily driven by age-related metabolic changes, with menopause contributing to unfavorable shifts in body composition and central adiposity. Obesity in menopause is associated with heightened risks of cardiometabolic disease, mood disorders, sleep disturbances, and impaired quality of life. Newer antiobesity medications have substantial efficacy in weight reduction and cardiometabolic risk improvement. Lifestyle interventions - resistance training and Mediterranean diet - remain foundational. Screening for comorbidities and attention to mental health are essential components of care.

Management of midlife weight gain in women requires a multifaceted approach, integrating lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and, when appropriate, surgical intervention. Clinicians should prioritize early identification of at-risk individuals, provide anticipatory guidance, and personalize interventions. Ongoing research is needed for evidence-based protocols for weight maintenance after initial loss, along with guidance on maintaining lean muscle mass while on incretin therapy.