Obesity in midlife: lifestyle and dietary strategies

Abstract

As the rate of obesity increases globally, so does the incidence of other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and dementia, which have been referred to as ‘adiposity-based chronic disease’. With timely lifestyle modification such as behavioral changes, implementation of a healthy diet, and proper physical activity, many of these diseases can be prevented. Weight gain is one of the major health concerns of midlife. Midlife body changes are the result of aging, menopause, and other influences unique to menopausal women which interfere with adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Reduced metabolism levels lead to low energy levels, which discourage physical activity. In addition, with the onset of bone loss, menopausal women begin to lose muscle mass and gain more fat, resulting in osteopenic sarco-obesity. Adoption of a healthy lifestyle is a first-line option in the treatment for these midlife changes. Lifestyle medicine offers a broad set of network-based interventions, which need to be brought to the forefront in preventing and managing obesity at all stages. This review article focuses on evidence-based lifestyle changes and their benefits for reducing morbidity and mortality related to obesity and its complications prevalent at midlife and beyond.

摘要

随着全球肥胖率的上升, 其他非传染性疾病（例如糖尿病, 心血管疾病, 癌症, 骨质疏松症, 骨关节炎和痴呆症）的发病率也在增加, 这些疾病被称为“基于肥胖的慢性病”。通过及时改变生活方式, 例如改变行为, 健康饮食和适当的体育锻炼, 可以预防许多这些疾病。体重增加是中年人的主要健康问题之一。中年人的身体变化是衰老、更年期以及更年期妇女独有的其他影响健康生活方式影响的结果。代谢水平降低导致能量水平降低, 从而阻碍身体活动。此外, 随着骨质流失的开始, 更年期妇女开始失去肌肉质量并获得更多的脂肪, 导致骨质疏松症。在这些中年变化的治疗中, 采用健康的生活方式是一线选择。生活方式疗法提供了广泛的基于网络的干预措施, 在预防和管理肥胖症的各个阶段都需要将这些干预措施放在首位。这篇评论文章侧重于基于证据的生活方式的改变, 在降低肥胖症和在中年及以后普遍存在的并发症的发病率和死亡率方面的益处。

Keywords:

• Obesity
• menopause
• midlife weight gain
• lifestyle therapy
• dietary strategies
• physical activity
• behavioral support

Acknowledgement

The author would like to acknowledge Dr Stutee Khandelwal MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, at the Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Fresno Medical Educational Program, for providing editorial support for preparation of the manuscript.

Potential conflict of interest

The author reports no conflict of interest.

Source of funding

Nil.