Hormone replacement therapy may help although there are associated risks. Perhaps a more healthy option is to accept that while your body will change to some degree as you age, you can at least stay in good shape by eating well and exercising often. The obvious way to prevent fat build-up is to make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet and to exercise but, as the US study indicates, that might not be enough. The study researchers suggest upping exercise levels as you age to counteract this effect. See your GP, though, before you undertake anything strenuous.

If you have stopped trading in the 2023 to 2024 tax year you can still include Overlap Relief in your return for that year. Energy and food have been the biggest worry for households but thankfully the prices for these have been falling over recent months, which has been reflected in the latest inflation reading of 4.6% in October 2023. Boot-cut or wide-leg jeans complement pear shapes as they help to elongate such body types,” says Natalie, who says the sleek lines will not only balance out your figure but also elongate legs. Natalie also says it’s best to swap low rises for the best high-waisted jeans as these highlight your waist and create a more balanced silhouette overall.According to Natalie, it’s all about the wash when it comes to finding slimming jeans for your body type. It’s best to shop for high-waisted jeans owing to the figure-flattering benefits of high-rise jeans for pear shapes (as they) draw attention to your naturally defined waist,” she says. Spoon: if you're a spoon, your hips are much larger than your bust. Your hips have a shelf-like appearance, and you have a well defined waist. Along with your bones your muscles help hold everything together, but as you age, you naturally lose muscle mass, meaning not only that body tissue doesn’t sit in the same places, but also your skin doesn't either. Underarm ‘flaps’, rolls around your belly and so on, can all be a result of this process.

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How height-loss affects your body shape

Rectangle: your hips, waist, and bust are about the same size. Your body is well proportioned and athletic in appearance. Fat tissue accumulates around your waistline, and also farther inside around your abdominal organs. ‘Middle-aged spread’ is, unfortunately, part of the ageing process.