Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä have found that women who exercise less and have disordered eating habits tend to have more belly fat and a higher risk of chronic inflammation, which increases the chances of heart disease.
However, a combination of regular exercise and healthy eating can help protect against inflammation and may even reduce it after menopause.
How Menopause Affects Fat Distribution
As women go through menopause, their estrogen levels drop, which changes how fat is stored in the body. Instead of being stored in the hips and thighs, more fat moves to the midsection as visceral fat, which is linked to higher inflammation and a greater risk of heart disease and metabolic problems.
This study, published in Scientific Reports, examined how eating habits, physical activity, and sleep affect inflammation. One key focus was disordered eating behaviors, such as restricting food intake, being overly concerned about body weight, or having a limited view of what foods are acceptable to eat.
What the Study Found
- More belly fat = more inflammation: Women with higher amounts of visceral fat had more inflammation, which can increase the risk of diseases.
- Less exercise = more belly fat: Women who were less active had more belly fat, leading to a greater risk of inflammation.
- Eating habits matter: Those who had disordered eating behaviors also had more belly fat and higher inflammation levels.
- Exercise helps, but eating behavior is key: Women who exercised regularly had less visceral fat—but this effect was weaker if they also had disordered eating habits.
Interestingly, sleep did not seem to play a major role in this study, even though past research has linked poor sleep to weight gain and inflammation.
Why This Matters
Menopause is a critical time for women’s health because the risk of heart disease and metabolic issues increases significantly. Since women spend more than a third of their lives after menopause, understanding how lifestyle habits affect health is essential.
The study highlights that both exercise and healthy eating are important for reducing visceral fat and inflammation. However, the best results come when both habits are combined.
Can You Reduce Harmful Belly Fat After Menopause?
Yes! According to researcher Hannamari Lankila, it is possible to reduce belly fat and lower the risk of disease even after menopause.
The key takeaway? A balanced approach to eating and regular physical activity can help protect against harmful fat buildup and inflammation, leading to better long-term health.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
The research findings can be found in Scientific Reports.
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