In the latest Our Bodies, Our Lives column by UTMB’s Dr. Tristi Muir: The weight gain around the middle that accompanies midlife can creep up on you and then hang on for dear life. Loss of muscle mass that accompanies aging and decreased physical activity are the primary contributors to a slower metabolism; however, there are other potential contributors to the midlife spread. Eating out, alcohol, sleep deprivation, stress, medical problems and family genetics can all pack pounds around our waistlines. With the scale creeping up an average of one pound a year, how can you fight back?