Fat "moves" during menopause: the lower abdomen becomes thicker without gaining weight. Doctors remind you not to lose weight just by eating less.

2026/09/26 12:21

Xie Xiaoyun, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, pointed out that women's fat distribution may also start to "move" due to hormonal changes before and after menopause; situational photo. (Picture taken from freepik)

[Health Channel/Comprehensive Report] Although there is no weight gain during menopause, the lower abdomen becomes more and more obvious. This may not be just an illusion. Xie Xiaoyun, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, pointed out that when women enter middle age, in addition to increasing age, declining activity and gradual muscle loss, resulting in reduced daily caloric consumption, affected by hormonal changes before and after menopause, fat distribution may also begin to "move" from the buttocks and thighs, where it is easier to accumulate, to the abdomen and around the internal organs. We remind you not to just rely on eating less to lose weight after the age of 40. You should also pay attention to the fact that if fat is not lost, it may lead to muscle loss.

Xie Xiaoyun posted on her Facebook fan page that many women in their 40s and 50s who come to see a doctor are confused about why their lower abdomen is getting more and more obvious even though they have not gained much weight. In fact, this is not just an illusion. Originally, women's fat is more likely to be distributed in the buttocks and thighs; before and after menopause, affected by hormonal changes, fat will tend to accumulate in the abdomen, especially around the internal organs.

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Xie Xiaoyun further mentioned that this change did not happen suddenly after the menstruation completely stopped in her 50s. Research has found that about 2 years before the last menstrual period, fat gain and changes in body composition may begin to become more obvious; at the same time, lean body tissue also begins to decline. Therefore, when some women stand on the scale, they may still maintain the original 60 kilograms, but their body composition has quietly changed, including: a little less muscle, a little more fat, and abdominal fat has become thicker. In other words, the same weight does not necessarily mean the same physical condition.

Xie Xiaoyun reminded that instead of trying to lose another 2 kilograms by going on a diet, what is more worthy of attention is whether the muscles are preserved, whether the waist circumference continues to increase, and whether you eat enough protein every day, and perform resistance training or heavy training regularly, while maintaining daily activities such as brisk walking, running, swimming, and dancing.

In addition, she pointed out, don’t just eat fruit and vegetable salads in order to lose weight quickly. If you only rely on "eating less" to lose weight after the age of 40, you may not lose all the fat you want to get rid of, but may also lose the muscles that you have managed to retain.

Xie Xiaoyun emphasized that when managing weight after menopause, you should not just ask "how many more kilograms need to be lost before the standard", but also pay attention to whether muscles can be retained and whether fat continues to accumulate in the abdomen. Compared with the one or two kilograms on the scale, waist circumference, muscle mass, exercise habits, and maintaining muscle and strength in the body are more worthy of attention.