Menopot – The Middle Age Problem
August 18, 2009
Middle-aged women are often embarrassed by their ugly bulging bellies. The increase in abdominal fat, which often occurs during the perimenopausal phase of life, is also known as menopot.
The abdominal fat gives the body an apple-like shape. Menopot fat often raises the body weight by at least 3 pounds.
Menopot causes
Besides the abdomen, excess fat might appear during perimenopause on the thigh, hip and buttocks. Changes in estrogen level are believed to be responsible for the development of menopot fat. According to a study, menopot might develop from mental stress. Gaining weight is often considered as a sign of aging.
As we age, the metabolism process of our body slows down. This increases the fat content of our body. After menopause most of the body fat tend to accumulate in the abdomen, bulging the belly. Sometimes fat tends to concentrate in the abdomen even in women with normal body weight.
Often the fat distribution changes after menopause, decreasing fat in the hands, thighs and hips and increasing fat concentration in the belly. Besides hormonal changes during the perimenopause and menopause phase, bulging belly might also be hereditary. It may run in families.
The bulging belly during menopause might comprise of subcutaneous fat, which is the fat that can be pinched with your finger, and visceral fat, which lies deeper in the abdominal cavity.
Risk of menopot
Menopot fat, and especially the visceral fat is linked to several health hazards. The excess fat in your belly can cause heart diseases, high blood pressure, gallbladder diseases, diabetes and breast, colon and rectum cancers. The hormones secreted by the abdominal fat cells trigger these illnesses. These hormones increase insulin resistance. Sometimes they might even stimulate estrogen production after menopause, increasing the risk of breast cancer.
Menopot Treatment
Exercises that help to reduce fats and tone abdominal muscles could help to get rid of menopot fat. Moderate physical activities, for at least 30 minutes every day, could help to shrink your bulging belly.
Menopot fat can be lost by jogging 20 miles every week. Healthy diet devoid of simple carbohydrates, sugar and saturated fats could prevent fat gain. Sometimes hormone replacement therapy during menopause could reduce menopot fat.
Comments
Got something to say? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.