A female client with a BMI of 35 believes the weight gain is caused by menopause. Which response should the nurse make to this client?

Question

a. "Many women gain significant amounts of weight following menopause."
b. "This may be a good time to discuss diet programs, since you are obviously overweight."
c. "Being overweight is a concern, but since you are healthy otherwise we can just watch for a while to see what happens."
d. "Women tend to gain weight as they get older, but increased exercise and cutting back on fats and sugar could help prevent other medical problems in the future."

Answer 1

d. "Women tend to gain weight as they get older, but increased exercise and cutting back on fats and sugar could help prevent other medical problems in the future."

Aging can result in decreased physical exercise leading to a positive energy balance and weight gain. With a BMI of 35, the client is obese and at risk for other medical problems such as diabetes and cardiac disease. There is no proven relationship between menopause and weight gain. Dieting alone has not been shown to be as effective as weight loss and exercise. Waiting to act increases the risk for development of other medical problems.