Saed News: New research findings show that choosing certain dietary patterns may help reduce the risk of obesity during this transitional stage of life.
According to SAEDNEWS, for many women, menopause feels as if the body suddenly stops following its usual rules—while eating habits remain the same, weight continues to increase.
Researchers followed more than 38,000 women over 12 years and used detailed questionnaires to assess their food intake. They then compared annual weight changes across seven dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, plant-based diets, low-carb diets, and ultra-processed food consumption.
On average, women gained about two pounds (nearly one kilogram) per year—but which diet was linked to the lowest risk of obesity?
A mostly plant-based pattern called the “Planetary Health Diet” showed the lowest risk. This diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and healthy fats, while limiting ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and processed meats.
Similar dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and healthy plant-based diets were also associated with better weight control outcomes.
Diets that increase the likelihood of blood sugar and insulin spikes were linked to greater weight gain during menopause. These diets typically include higher amounts of ultra-processed foods, red and processed meat, potatoes, and sodium.
Tong Xie, the study’s researcher and a postdoctoral scientist at Harvard University, said these findings suggest that small dietary changes can help manage weight more healthily and improve long-term metabolic health during menopause.
