Dietary and Exercise Interventions for Perimenopausal Women: A Health Status Impact Study

Effects of physical exercise on the lipid profile of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

During the climacteric period, the decline in ovarian hormones leads to changes in the lipid profile. Physical exercise is the main non-pharmacological recommendation for controlling lipid levels. However, the effects on the lipid profile in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women are incipient and inconclusive. In this context, we searched the Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for randomized clinical trials on the effects of exercise on the lipid profile of these women. We excluded studies that did not specify criteria for classifying the climacteric phase, that involved women undergoing hormone replacement therapy, or that examined combined treatments or acute effects of physical exercise. The meta-analysis indicated that general physical exercise increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (mean difference [MD]=4.89; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]=0.97 to 8.81) in perimenopausal women. For obese postmenopausal women, 16 weeks of aerobic training increased HDL-C levels (MD=3.88; 95%CI=0.56 to 7.20) and reduced total cholesterol (MD=-22.36; 95%CI=-29.67 to -15.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (MD=-17.86; 95%CI=-25.97 to -9.75), whereas 12 weeks of resistance training increased HDL-C levels (MD=4.20; 95%CI=1.16 to 7.23) and decreased triglycerides (MD=-14.86; 95%CI=-26.62 to -3.09) and LDL-C levels (MD=-16.36; 95%CI=-28.05 to -4.67). Overall, the results showed that physical exercise regulated lipid profiles in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Specifically, 12 weeks of resistance exercise and 16 weeks of aerobic exercise improved the lipid profile of obese postmenopausal women.

Level of adherence to diet and physical activity among menopausal women and influencing factors in Jordan: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Background

During menopause, a woman's lifestyle may change significantly, which will have implications on her quality of life. Women will experience menopause for more than a third of their life; therefore, maintaining good health during this period is crucial. A healthy diet and physical activity can help women maintain their health during menopause. Hence, assessing adherence to a healthy diet and physical activity among menopausal women is important.

Purpose

This study aims to assess the degree of adherence to a healthy diet and physical activity of menopausal women in Jordan and determine the most influential factors.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study, and an online self-administered questionnaire was sent to 299 menopausal women selected through simple random sampling. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used to assess the menopausal women's adherence to a healthy diet and physical activity. The questionnaire consisted of 14 items covering two domains: 12 questions for the diet domain and two questions for the physical activity domain. Descriptive statistics were obtained, mean weight and body mass index (BMI) were calculated, and stepwise regression was conducted for the data analysis.

Results

The overall degree of adherence to a healthy diet and physical activity of the women was moderate (49.25, SD = 7.17). Most of the participants reported eating refined food items once a month or less (n = 188, 62.9%) and not exercising weekly (n = 119, 39.8%), and only a few reported eating refined food items at least once a day (n = 5, 1.7%) and exercising 5-6 times a week (n = 15, 5%). The regression analysis showed that age (B = 0.145, p = 0.014), having two children (B = 0.123, p = 0.034) and completing primary or secondary education (B = 0.120, p = 0.038) were statistically significant and the strongest predictors of adherence. The predictors accounted for 68% of the variance in adherence to a healthy diet and physical activity (R2 = 0.068, F [343.54] = 7.123, p = 0.000).

Conclusion

The majority of the middle-aged menopausal women in this study showed moderate adherence to a healthy diet and physical activity. Age, having two children and completing primary or secondary education were associated with degree of adherence to a healthy diet and physical activity. Therefore, healthcare intervention, such as physical activity and dietary control programs, should target women in this age group and stage in life.