Dr. Angela Fitch joins Fempower Health to debunk myths about menopause weight gain, explore hormonal and metabolic changes, and explain how GLP-1 medications can help. Learn about the causes of unexplained weight gain during perimenopause and how obesity treatments fit into the picture.

Weight Loss Medications and Menopause Episode Summary

In this episode of Fempower Health, Georgie Kovacs and Dr. Angela Fitch, former president of the Obesity Medicine Association, delve into the complex topic of weight gain during perimenopause and menopause. They discuss the hormonal shifts and metabolic changes that drive weight gain in this life stage, while debunking common myths and shedding light on the facts. Dr. Fitch also explains how GLP-1 medications, typically used for treating obesity, may play a role in managing weight during menopause. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the science behind menopause-related weight changes, alongside treatment options that go beyond diet and exercise.

Key Discussion Points:

• What causes unexpected weight gain during menopause?
• How do hormonal changes in perimenopause impact weight?
• What myths about menopause-related weight gain should be debunked?
• Can GLP-1 medications help manage weight during menopause?
• How does obesity differ from weight gain during menopause?
• What role does estrogen play in appetite regulation and body composition?
• What are the best ways to manage weight during menopause without societal pressures?
• How can women decide if weight loss medications are right for them?

"You may not think you’re doing anything different, but probably you are, but it’s very subtle. The thing is, to gain five pounds a year as a person, it only takes 10 extra calories a day." - Dr. Angela Fitch
Related to this Menopause Weight Gain episode:

• Follow Dr Angela Fitch on LinkedIn.
• Learn about the Obesity Medicine Association.
• Check out Fempower Health’s Resources on Perimenopause and Menopause and Nutrition.

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Fempower Health Guest Bio

Angela Fitch, MD, FACP, MFOMA is the current past president of the Obesity Medicine Association.  She practiced primary care for 10 years before becoming a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine in 2012. She is currently the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of knownwell, a comprehensive longitudinal obesity treatment and primary care clinic focused on delivering unbiased non-stigmatizing care for patients with obesity throughout the country.  She is a former Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard University, the former co-director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center, a current ex-officio board member of the Obesity Action Coalition, and a founding member of the Massachusetts Coalition for Action on Obesity. Dr. Fitch is board-certified in obesity medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics.

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**