INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is the top complaint among Australian women seeking naturopathic support. These clients are predominantly from Generation X (born between 1965 - 1980).1 Gen X women are now facing an unprecedented mid-life energy crisis due to a multitude of pressures including career demands, caregiving responsibilities, societal pressure and ageing.2,3 Further, 80% of Australian Gen X women are at risk of metabolic complications, particularly abdominal obesity, largely driven by stressors and hormonal changes.4
Research suggests these health challenges stem from an evolutionary mismatch, where modern lifestyle pressures conflict with ancestral biology.5,6 Evolutionary adaptations needed for survival and reproductive fitness, may contribute to detrimental effects in later life, such as mitochondrial decline, fatigue and cognitive challenges during menopause and beyond.5-8 Evolutionary medicine offers a framework to understand these mismatches and design targeted interventions that restore resilience.
FOCUS OF DISCUSSION:
This presentation will delve into the issues driving fatigue among Gen X women, using an evolutionary medicine perspective to offer solutions. It will address how persistent fatigue is linked to mid-life mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and hormone changes, which are aggravated by modern stressors.9-11 Attendees will learn evidence-based interventions which mimic natural ancestral patterns to restore metabolic balance, improve mitochondrial health, and strengthen physiological resilience.
OUTCOME: By the end of this session, practitioners will have practical tools to personalise treatment plans, addressing the root causes of fatigue. They will be equipped to enhance resilience, boost energy, and support mid-life transitions for their Gen X clients.
IMPLICATIONS: This presentation goes beyond symptom management; it aims to transform mid-life health and energy for Gen X women. By addressing fatigue at its core, practitioners can improve energy, hormonal balance, and overall wellbeing, offering a sustainable pathway to vitality and resilience in mid-life.
References:
1. Steel A, Schloss J, Leach M, Adams J. The naturopathic profession in Australia: A secondary analysis of the Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative (PRACI). Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2020;40:101220.
2. Roebuck DB, Smith DN, El Haddaoui T. Cross-generational perspectives on work-life balance and its impact on women's opportunities for leadership in the workplace. Adv Women Leadersh J. 2013;33:52-62.
3. Chaudhary RR, Bagga R. Work life imbalance and psychosocial tribulations among working women. Int J Manag Excell. 2018;10(2):1323-33.
4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Overweight and obesity [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2024 [cited 2024 Oct 24]. Available from:
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity
5. van Vugt M, Colarelli SM, Li NP. Digitally Connected, Evolutionarily Wired: An Evolutionary Mismatch Perspective on Digital Work. Organizational Psychology Review. 2024 Mar 20:20413866241232138.