Physical Development & Midlife
During midlife, just as in the teenage years, the human body goes through significant changes. Some of these changes are internal and cannot be seen, while others are obvious in an individual's appearance. These changes can be broken down into six main categories.
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Skin
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The skin loses a great deal of elasticity in midlife. This is because hormonal changes and changes in diet and exercise impact the immune system, which is largely responsible for the regeneration and health of skin cells. As a result lines and wrinkles begin to appear, most noticeably on the face. They are common around the mouth and edges of the eyes, as well as on the forehead. Usually, at this point, the wrinkles and lines are minor and an individual can minimize their appearance through a proper skin-care regimen and a little cover-up. Some individuals also develop brown spots, known non-affectionately as age or liver spots, on the skin during this time.
Weight Gain
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Weight gain is common during midlife. In women, weight is gained most prominently in the hips, buttocks and thighs, as well as the abdominal region. In men, the majority of weight is gained in the abdomen. This weight gain generally is accepted more readily by men than by women, because women tend to associate weight gain with a loss of attractiveness, while men tend to associate weight gain with being happily situated and provided for.
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Strength and Flexibility
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Most men and women find that, as midlife approaches, their strength and flexibility wanes. This has to do with physical changes that are out of the individual's control, but it also is impacted by the fact that physical activity tends to decrease as an individual gets older. Moderate exercise such as daily walks, biking, yoga or Pilates can help those who are entering or in middle age to maintain their physical capabilities.
Hair
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One sign of aging that occurs in middle age that is visible to the eye is the graying or thinning of the hair. Some people experience only a few gray hairs and simply pluck them out. Others go completely gray. Many individuals try dying their hair to hide this physical change. Women whose hair thins may change their hairstyle, and men in particular may find that they do not have as much hair, developing bald spots or losing the majority of their hair as their hairline recedes from the forehead.
Menopause
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In women, midlife brings menopause. This is a physical change that results in the loss of reproductive capabilities. Women can have a difficult time during menopause, both because of the emotions associated with reproduction and because the hormonal changes that occur result in symptoms such as headaches, hot flashes, mood swings and insomnia. In both sexes, libido tends to decrease.
Risk of Disease
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Risk of disease increases during midlife. With increased weight gain, dietary insufficiencies, and decreased exercise, individuals in midlife have greater odds of developing dangerous conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.
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