Physical activity can help women lose weight

Everybody would like a nice trim body. However, not everybody has one, as cutting a healthy slim-line figure is not always the easiest thing to achieve.

While some people are born with a naturally high metabolism, which allows them to eat lots, exercise little and remain thin, most people need to stick to a regime that incorporates both of these elements.

Research suggests that women struggle to achieve this balance after getting married.

In particular, those who have had children may find that after their bodies have undergone this intense process, their metabolisms are not as fast as they once were.

Research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that women who get married are up to four pounds heavier than singletons.

Furthermore, having a child typically made these women nine pounds heavier.

Dr Jacquie Lavin is head of nutrition and research at Slimming World and an expert on keeping trim later in life.

She believes that one reason women gain weight after giving birth is because their eating and exercise plans become disrupted.

Dr Lavin explained: "Following a sensible sustainable eating plan and enjoying moderate physical activity regularly can help them to lose any excess weight and keep it off."

Research has found that there are a number of factors which can cause an individual to gain weight as they get older.

A survey conducted by Weight Loss Resources found that stress and boredom are cited by 37 per cent of adults as a reason for piling on the pounds, while having babies was blamed by 34 per cent and becoming less active considered a key factor by ten per cent.

One way women can avoid piling on the pounds after having a baby is to maintain a healthy diet during the pregnancy. Rather than adopting an "eating for two" attitude, mothers-to-be should try and enjoy a varied diet based around foods like pasta, rice, chicken [close space], fish and lean meat, complemented by plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Indulging in cravings for copious amounts of chocolate is a sure fire way to gain unwanted pounds, which may prove hard to shift.

Dr Lavin said: "Preventing excess weight gain in pregnancy has been found to reduce the risk of complications such as premature birth or pre-eclampsia and may also help improve the future health of the child.

"In addition, by encouraging new mums to develop healthy eating habits right from the very beginning it gives them the best possible chance of a healthy life for the whole family."