Why is Weight Loss Harder After 50?

A lot of things in life get easier as you get older. You might be clearer on your values and your goals. You probably worry less about what people think of you and have a better handle on how to navigate tricky relationships. 

Some things get harder with age, though. And weight loss is certainly one of them. If you noticed that it got more difficult to lose weight after you turned 50, you’re not alone. 

Fortunately, you’re not alone in navigating your weight loss journey, either. Ashok Kadambi, MD, FACE, and our team offer medically supervised weight loss programs here at Fort Wayne Endocrinology. These programs help to offset some of the factors that make shedding pounds more difficult with age. 

Factors that impact weight loss after 50

Quite a few issues contribute to the difficulty of added weight loss that arises after 50. 

For starters, as you get older, you naturally start to lose muscle mass. Doctors call this sarcopenia, which can be particularly noticeable for men after age 60. A few factors come into play here, but changing hormone levels are one of them. 

Your muscles need more calories to survive than your fat does. That means that as you lose muscle mass, your resting metabolic rate starts to drop. You might be eating the same amount of calories as before, but you could still see weight gain. 

On top of that, the hormones that impact appetite can change with age. Take leptin as an example. That’s the hormone that helps you feel sated after you eat. As you get older, leptin levels decline. 

On top of this, women often deal with weight gain after 50 due to the hormonal changes that come with menopause. 

So, what do muscle mass loss, the resulting metabolic dip, appetite changes, and menopause all have in common? Your hormones. That’s why seeing an endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in hormones) like Dr. Kadambi helps so much. 

Getting the support you need

When you work with Dr. Kadambi and our team, you get broad-spectrum support for your weight loss goals. 

That includes aspects you probably expect, like nutrition counseling and exercise guidance. But Dr. Kadambi also applies his expertise in hormones to help people over 50 lose weight. 

He talks with you to get an idea of whether or not hormone issues could be affecting your ability to lose weight. If he thinks that may be a factor, he orders lab tests to confirm.

From there, he tailors a care plan for you, which may include hormone replacement therapy, medication, or supplements. Dr. Kadambi makes resources available that can help you drop pounds and keep them off. 

You don’t have to navigate your weight loss journey alone. For support tailored to you and your age, book your appointment online or contact our Fort Wayne, Indiana, office today.