Most people I know have put on a little weight as they hit middle age. And of course that’s understandabe since their metabolism slows down. (Insert screech sound here.) “Everyone knows conventional wisdom about metabolism: People put pounds on year after year from their 20s onward because their metabolisms slow down, especially around middle age. Women have slower metabolisms than men. That’s why they have a harder time controlling their weight. Menopause only makes things worse, slowing women’s metabolisms even more. All wrong, according to a paper published Thursday.” Gina Kolata in the NYT (gift article for ND readers): What We Think We Know About Metabolism May Be Wrong. (My personal experience mirrors this new science. I spent my childhood shopping in the husky section and have maintained a fairly steady state.)