1. Introduction
The problem of obesity during menopause is a big health problem that rocks the worlds of many women. For some women, the hormonal changes that take place during menopause result in an increase in body fat, especially around the belly (Opoku et al. 2023). The purpose of this research project is to pinpoint the biggest reasons for obesity in menopause and to discover ways to prevent weight gain in menopause. Not only does it affect physical appearance, but obesity in menopause also raises the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers (Lobo and Gompel, 2022). Given that, it’s vital we understand what those underpinnings are and how to prevent it by adopting appropriate preventive strategies for menopausal women in order to improve their general health and general quality of life. The main culprit of weight gain is usually linked to a reduction in estrogenic levels, lifestyle changes, and metabolic alterations (Ko and Kim, 2020). The project is to see if we can determine from these sorts of factors, these sorts of microgeographic and microphysical... factors which are some of the ways in which we may be able to intervene on behalf of women to prevent obesity during menopause.
1.1 Key Concepts/Facts
A decline in estrogenic levels is the main reason women gain weight during menopause. In fact, estrogenic is a big player in the way the body distributes fat, and the reduction of estrogenic during menopause results in a tendency to accumulate fat, mostly in the abdominal area. That slowdown in the body’s metabolic rate often occurs during menopause as well, when fewer calories are burned (Barrea et al. 2021). Women who go through menopause also experience lifestyle changes such as reduced physical activity and unhealthy eating habits that can increase weight gain, says many women. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that as many as 40 percent of women between the ages of 50 and 60 and rates rising are obese (Vazquez et al. 2021). But getting overweight in menopause puts you at significant risk for more serious health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoarthritis. In order to approach and manage your weight during menopause, you need to understand these concepts.
1.2 Relevant Statistics
Obesity rates among menopausal women are rising, according to statistics. Around 60 percent of women in the UK between the ages of 45 and 65 are considered overweight or obese, according to figures from the charity (Fenton, 2021). The National Institute of Health states that women on average gain 1.5 kilos per year in the menopause transition. However, research also shows that 20 percent of postmenopausal women develop metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar, all of which increase their risk for cardiovascular disease. These figures show the increasing worries about weight during menopause.
1.3 Key Policies
Health policies that try to control obesity during menopause include many. In the UK, the NHS (National Health Services) mainly promotes interventions in lifestyle like a balanced diet as well as regular physical activity as important means to prevent obesity (Barrea, 2021). Weight management programs addressed to menopausal women according to the NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), which puts more focus on personalised care plans such as dietary changes and exercise. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations all over the world publicly advocate campaigns to raise public awareness against the pitfalls of obesity during menopause to government to have preventive measures like nutrition education, and exercise programs for women on the verge of menopause.
2. Research Rationale
This is an important topic because women increasingly gain weight during menopause. It's true that women tend to age poorly in terms of increasing propensity for metabolic problem that leads to obesity and less estrogenic from the time of menopause. Obesity does not only affect the person physically, but also impacts the person mentally, self-esteem, and quality of life as well. Obesity puts menopausal women at risk of increased heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer — which are all factors associated with obesity (Roa-Díaz et al. 2021).
According to research, almost 60% of women between 45 and 65 years old experience weight gain during menopause worldwide, and thus affects the public health systems in a huge number. Preventing obesity is of particular importance in this segment of the population to limit the costs with respect to treating obesity-related diseases (Fenton, 2021). The factors that may contribute to weight gain in menopause can be understood, together with effective preventive strategies that healthcare providers can offer women at this important transitional period in their lives. By dealing with this problem, public health campaigns can help promote healthier lifestyles and will increase the long-term health outcomes for menopausal women. This research can support policy changes most related to targeted interventions for obesity prevention in menopause.
3. Research Aim
The main aim of this particular research is to investigate the reason for obesity during menopause and explore effective prevention strategies.
4. Research Objectives
- To analyse the hormonal changes impact during menopause on fat distribution as well as body weight.
- To examine various factors of lifestyle, like physical activity as well as diet, that makes a contribution to the gain of weight in menopausal women.
- To successfully evaluate existing interventions as well as measures of prevention aimed at the management of obesity during menopause.
- To offer recommendations for the providers of healthcare on the promotion of effective strategies of weight management for menopausal women.
5. Summary of Chapter One
In Chapter One we introduce the research on obesity during menopause, providing background information for the significance of understanding hormonal change, and changing lifestyle factors as they impact weight accumulation. It establishes a starting point from which to explore more effective preventive approaches to combat obesity at this life stage.
6. Summary of Chapter Two
Chapter two discusses studies of menopause-related obesity, and reviews hormonal changes, metabolic factors, and lifestyle influences. It also reviews current preventive measures and interventions for the prevention of obesity in menopausal women and discusses what is known and what is not known regarding their implementation and further research.
7. Summary of Chapter Three
This chapter describes how the research methodology proceeds, including a qualitative method of using secondary data and thematic analysis. It further also explains how obesity-related data during menopause will be collected, analysed, and finally interpreted for the exploration of various potential as well as causes to preventive strategies for this particular condition.