Obesity and its associated risk factors among postmenopausal women

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Date
2012
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The preliminary survey of 300 postmenopausal women in the age group of 45-60 years selected randomly from Punjab Agricultural University campus was conducted to assess the prevalence of obesity. Based on body mass index (WHO, 2004) a sub sample of 90 subjects categorized into three groups (30 each) i.e. normal (18.50-24.99 kg/m2), overweight (25.00-29.99 kg/m2) and obese (≥ 30 kg/m2) was retained to analyze dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, body composition, blood and lipid profile and physical activity. The results revealed that mean age of menopause was 48.93±2.04 years. The prevalence rate of obesity was 25 per cent followed by overweight as 46 per cent. Hypertension was the major risk factor (33%) followed by diabetes (26%) and hypercholesterolemia (13%). The per cent adequacy of food intake showed higher intake of cereals, milk and milk products, sugar and fats and oil and low intake of pulses, fruits and vegetables resulting in higher intake of total fat and lower intake of micronutrients. The energy intake was higher in obese subjects. Waist hip ratio, fat percent, blood and lipid profile increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with the increase in body mass index (BMI) i.e. normal to overweight to obese. Although all the subjects of the three groups were falling in sedentary life style (PAL 1.40-1.69) yet majority of normal subjects (47%) were involved in regular physical activity. Increased prevalence of risk factors was observed with the decrease in the level of physical activity i.e. regular to seldom to no physical activity. BMI was found significantly (p ≤ 0.01) correlated with blood pressure and lipid profile among postmenopausal women staging higher risk in obese subjects. Hence there is a need of nutrition intervention for management of obesity and its associated risk factors to improve nutritional and health profile of postmenopausal women. Key words:
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