: Longitudinal data shows that women in midlife experience declining basal metabolic rates and changes in body composition, including muscle loss and increased fat mass, which heightens the risk of obesity-related morbidity [7, 15]. Social & Sexual Identity
: Research on physically active adult women (size 1X to 3X) found that limited selection and poor fit in athletic apparel can cause emotional frustration [13]. Body Image & Satisfaction at Midlife Papers examining how women view their bodies as they age:
: A study of 1,789 women aged 50 and over found that only 12.2% reported being satisfied with their body size. Those who were satisfied typically had a lower BMI and higher overall functional health [3, 17].
: A specialized study focused on mature female professional chefs found significant difficulty in finding jackets that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing for their changing bodies [22].