Nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, placing them at risk of serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
However, losing as little as 5% of your body weight can reduce these health risks.
When embarking on a weight loss journey, it’s important to acknowledge that everyone’s experience is unique, with many factors at play.
For women, weight loss can be more challenging due to influences like hormones, metabolism, and aging.
Here are some advice science-backed weight loss tips for women that take these challenges into account.
In addition to genetic and environmental factors, hormonal and metabolic issues such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can cause weight gain
And as women age, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels decrease, increasing fat accumulation and changes in body composition.
Declining levels of testosterone (starting after age 30) causing a decrease in muscle mass play a role, too, Because Muscle is more metabolically active than fat is, so with less muscle mass to burn off calories, women tend to put on fat.
Is It Harder for Women to Lose Weight?
It is harder for women to lose weight due to differences in muscle mass, maintenance calorie requirements and hormonal differences,”
This is especially true as women age due to hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, fat accumulation, and a slower metabolism, says Dr. Peralta-Reich.
How Should Women Lose Weight?
For women, under standing hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy and menopause, certain health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and differences in body composition and metabolism are important to consider.
The conclusion is it’s important to diagnose and treat underlying issues potentially contributing to weight gain.