Life Stage: Critical periods for weight gain?
Weight gain generally occurs slowly over our lifetime; however there is evidence to show that some life stages and some life events are likely to increase the risk for weight gain. Body weight is like sand on a beach; it comes and goes, mainly in small amounts. But sometimes it builds up to a big wide beach, and other times it thins out, depending on the amount of sand available!
Life stages are time periods in our life that increase our risk for weight gain. They can include the following:
Puberty
Puberty is a time in boys and girls where cell numbers in most parts of the body increase rapidly. If the lifestyle is poor from lack of exercise and bad nutrition, a greater number of fat cells can develop, making weight loss later in life difficult.
Menopause and peri-menopause
For women these periods are also considered as critical life stages that increase your risk for weight gain. Peri-menopause in women is the 1-2 years leading up to the menopause. Weight gain is most marked here, but can continue into the menopause as female hormones decline and fat is re-distributed from the lower to the upper body. Research has shown that most traditionally living tribal women and those who remain active during this period do not gain weight, suggesting this is a lifestyle-based cause in other women. In men, a less marked period occurs in mid-life, around 40 years of age, where a slowdown in metabolism, reduced activity levels and often an increase in food and drink make a stable weight much more difficult than in the earlier years.
A life event is a critical event in life that is not associated with a set time and can include:
Pregnancy
Increases in weight here are normal, but unfortunately many women put on more than is required and then have trouble losing it after childbirth. The more children (at least more than two), the greater the chances of weight gain. Breastfeeding and a quick return to exercise are ways of reducing the effects of this.
Smoking
This occurs largely because of the reduced metabolism that comes from eliminating nicotine, which incidentally, appears to last for several years. Improved taste and not having something to do with the hands, also contributes to an increased food intake.
Quitting sport
The greatest potential gains occur in those competing at an elite level who then become sedentary.
Injury or depression
For many a life event such as injury or depression can trigger weight gain and the physical or emotional barriers can make exercising difficult.
The most important thing about critical periods for weight gain is to be aware that they exist so you can take action. In most cases working through these before trying to lose weight can be the best tactic. There are always way to adapt or initiate weight management and fitness regimes to suit the particular circumstances of the individual.
Lifestyle screening
The practice of lifestyle medicine is about identifying, supporting and motivating people to take control of their health. Complete the Lifestyle Medicine Lifestyle screening questionaire to identify which areas you would like help with in your lifestyle.
Your Diet and Activity Behaviours
To get a true indication if it�s your consumptions of carbs, fat, too little exercise or a combination of all three that might be contributing to your current or potential weight problem try out the Diet, Activity, Behaviour Questionnaire.
Lifestyle Diseases
To find out more on other Lifestyle matters and how it affects your health read the following Lifestyle Medicine articles Are you friends good for your health, Lifestyle change in five simple steps and Losing sleep could be killing you literally.
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