Weight

It shouldn't be too surprising that most of us put on a few kilos over the years. Research by the Health Research Agency shows that weight tends to increase gradually as we enter middle age - around half a kilogram to one kilogram per year. It has also been found that women gain an average of 2.5 kilograms during the menopause (which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 53). During this time, fat is stored differently in the body. This can have many causes. For example, an underactive thyroid can lead to excess weight. Stress also influences the cortisol balance, which can lead to weight problems. Where the fat is located is also important. A little padding on the hips, legs or higher up is not harmful to health and is certainly normal to a certain extent. However, fat in the abdomen, so-called visceral fat, is very harmful to health. It would therefore be an advantage to know where the "excess" body weight is really located.