Why are older women more fat than men?

Many women find that they gain weight more easily than men when they are older. A new US study may help explain the cause of this phenomenon.

According to the researchers, after menopause, the activity of Aldh1a1 - an enzyme involved in fat production - increases. This enzyme is found in both humans and mice.

During the experiment, the researchers found that female mice fed the high-fat diet were more active and stored more visceral fat (abdominal fat) than mice. males have the same diet.

Women who are older are more likely to be obese because of the increase
enzyme activity Aldh1a1. (Photo: Hartphotography)

In contrast, female mice will still be "slimy" despite adhering to a high-fat diet if they were previously genetically modified to lack the enzyme Aldh1a1.

The female hormone estrogen seems to inhibit Aldh1a1 activity. This means, younger women, who have a high estrogen content, are always protected from the unwanted effects of Aldh1a1. However, after menopause, estrogen levels decrease, making Aldh1a1 activity increase and making women more prone to weight gain.

Researcher Ouliana Ziouzenkova, an assistant professor of human nutrition at Ohio University, said that by attacking Aldh1a1, scientists can develop a special anti-obesity approach for women.

However, such a treatment does not seem to be possible in the near future. The reason is because the new study was conducted on mice and researchers will first have to prove that their findings are true for humans.

In addition, researcher Ziouzenkova said on Live Science that Aldh1a1 also plays an important role in other body functions in addition to fat formation. Therefore, researchers do not seem to be able to create a complete cure for this enzyme.