MANY women have been denied the privilege and joy of motherhood because of over-eating. And there are numbers of men upon whom obesity has visited the plight of sterility.
Women who are entering upon or passing through the menopause are inclined to become overweight.
The ovaries, like the thyroid, exert an important physiologic influence over the bodily functions. Obesity often sets in when the ovaries stop functioning either through illness, the change of life or as the result of surgical removal.
The need among women for very careful dieting at the menopause is apparent.
There is a tendency at this period to a neuro-genic (produced by nerves) high blood pressure, which calls for very careful supervision.
Hence the need for the selection of the right foods in proper amounts.
If the thyroid gland becomes over-active or the blood pressure high, proteins may have to be restricted. If the heart muscle becomes flabby, harm may result by too great a reduction in the carbohydrate intake, for starches and sugars,in adequate and not excessive amounts improve circulatory function. Usually the most expedient dietetic procedure at the menopause, if overweight threatens, is simply a reduction in the amount of food consumed. Special conditions must be met by special dietary considerations.