Dear Crabby
There are generally 2 patterns of fat deposition in the human body: a) the female pattern where fat is deposited in the breasts, hips and thighs (the basic purpose is to cushion the female organs during the child bearing years), b)the male pattern where fat is deposited in the abdominal area (the typical beer boep!) and on the back ('buffalo hump'). Both fat deposition patterns are controlled by the sex hormones. During the menopause a woman's production of oestrogen and progesterone decreases drastically which can lead to deposition of fat in the so-called 'male fat deposition pattern' on the abdomen and back. To lose weight you need to basically change your lifestyle. Reduce your energy intake by eating an energy-reduced, low-fat, high-fibre diet (click on 'Diet' at the top of this page, 'Weight loss', ‘Balanced diet’ and then on 'Slimming Diet' for a copy of such a diet), and increasing your energy output by doing regular exercise (running, jogging, skipping, cycling, swimming, join a gym or Walk for Life) for 30 or more minutes a day to assist weightloss. Also do targeted exercises like sit-ups to help slim down your abdomen.
Best regards
DietDoc