Читать книгу Counseling the Contemporary Woman - Suzanne Degges-White - Страница 110

Weight gain is also typically associated with the midlife period, and the average woman will gain approximately five pounds during the menopause transition. Weight gain is often seen as an inevitable part of the aging process, but it is important to encourage clients to avoid using menopause as an excuse to overeat to the point of an unhealthy weight. Obesity has been linked to the development of adult-onset diabetes and multiple types of cancer, and the risks for these diseases increase during midlife (van Dijk et al., 2015). Women also tend to devalue their worth when they are unhappy with their weight, which can lead to emotional distress and lowered self-esteem. While healthy support networks are the key to a sense of satisfaction in life and happiness, healthy relationships can also promote positive behaviors and healthy choices. In fact, Chen and colleagues (2018) found that a supportive marital relationship was directly linked to healthy body weight and less weight gain for midlife women. Assessing for relationship quality and exploring any related concerns can be useful for clients in multiple ways. Being actively engaged in social support networks can encourage clients to stay healthy and stay engaged. However, if clients report that their support networks encourage unhealthy behaviors and choices, encourage them to seek out new social connections where healthy choices will be reinforced.

Please also note that contrary to some beliefs, midlife women may continue to suffer from long-term eating disorders or experience the initial onset of an eating disorder (Baker & Runfola, 2016; Mangweth-Matzek et al., 2014). Counselors should be alert to clients’ expression of weight-related concerns or if they note any significant changes in client weight. For additional information on eating disorders or body image concerns, please refer to chapter 14. Perhaps one of the most beneficial interventions that counselors can offer is helping the client understand the changes that are occurring.