Healthy weight week, women’s healthy weight day, weight loss, postmenopausal women

If you missed Healthy Weight Week last week – don’t fret, we’ve put together the top Bel Marra Health articles in regards to weight, weight loss and the struggle of weight in postmenopausal women for you to continue to educate yourself.

These articles will inform you on healthy weight as well as provide tips to lose weight and keep the weight off.

So if weight has been on your mind as of late, perusing through these articles can help paint a clearer picture for you.

In postmenopausal women, even light physical activities are effective against weight gain

Physical activity has proven to be an effective way to combat weight gain in premenopausal and postmenopausal women– even in moderate amounts. Menopause signifies the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle as well as fertility. During this time the ovaries no longer produce estrogen or progesterone – two key female hormones.

Menopause typically occurs naturally with aging, but it can also be a result of surgery or illness. Women generally enter menopause around the age of 51 but it can occur as early as 40. Menopause at 40 is commonly referred to as premature menopause. Menopause is largely a result of genetics, so it’s a good idea to look to your mother or grandmother if you want an idea of when it will happen to you. Continue reading…

Type 2 diabetes risk predicted by women’s body type, hip circumference

Type 2 diabetes risk may be predicted by a women’s body type by examining her hip circumference, according to new findings. There are many different body types: banana (straight from shoulders down), apple (wider top half, thinner lower half), pear (wider hips, thinner top), and hourglass (thin at the waist, rounded bust and hips). Even though we may have our own preferences, body shape goes further than visual appeal.

New research suggests that those with a pear body shape are least likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The findings were presented at the American Society of Human Genetics 2015 annual meeting. Continue reading…

Reducing stress may aid in weight loss

At the early stages of a new study researchers may have insight in how reducing stress may aid in weight loss. Researchers from the University of Florida studied cells and mice and found that chronic stress triggers production of betatrophin, a protein which inhibits an enzyme involved in fat burning.

Study co-first author Dr. Li-Jun Yang said, “Betatrophin reduces the body’s ability to break down fat, underscoring a link between chronic stress and weight gain.”

Although animal studies are not always exact replicas in human models and the exact effects of betatrophin are not fully understood what is known is that chronic stress can be harmful for overall health regardless.

Yang concluded, “Stress causes you to accumulate more fat, or at least slows down fat metabolism. This is yet another reason why it’s best to resolve stressful situations and to pursue a balanced life.”

The findings were published in BBA Molecular and Cell Biology and Lipids.

Weight loss possible using smaller plates

Research from the Cornell Food and Brand Lab has found that weight loss is easily done with the use of smaller plates. Over the years there have been over 50 studies which study the effects of smaller plates and weight loss and yet there seems to be little consensus if they are an effective means for weight loss or not. In some studies they believe that smaller plates help reduce food consumption and in others this doesn’t seem to be the case. In the latest findings – published in Journal of the Association for Consumer Research –all previous studies on the topic were examined and it was uncovered that the use of smaller plates does really assist in weight loss. Continue reading…

Key to weight loss overlooked by 90 percent of Americans: Survey

A recent survey found that 90 percent of respondents overlook the key to successful weight loss. With the New Year approaching, weight loss resolutions are a top priority and yet many fail to actually follow through. Estimates reveal only eight percent of those who make weight loss a New Year’s resolution are successful.

Furthermore, even if somebody manages to lose some weight right off the bat it usually comes back. Studies have shown that two out of three individuals who lose five percent of their body weight will gain it right back, and the more weight lost, the less likely it will stay off. Continue reading…