title: [Nutritional status and quality of life of climacteric women].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To associate the quality of life with the nutritional status of climacteric women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study on a sample of 200 climacteric women aged 40 to 65 years who responded to a 24-hour food recall and to questions about socioeconomic factors and current, previous and family medical history. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio were used for anthropometric evaluation. To assess the quality of life, we applied the MRS-menopause rating scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average BMI and waist circumference were 30.1 kg/m² (obesity grade 1) and 99 cm (very increased risk for cardiovascular disease), respectively. Increased protein consumption and decreased fiber, calcium and vitamin D intake were detected. The most prevalent disease was hypertension, 48.5% of the women studied were taking medication for cardiovascular disease and 23% were taking antidepressant medications. Regarding quality of life, significant results related to BMI as well as blood pressure were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A nutritional intervention aiming to correct or improve food consumption and anthropometric profile may result in health benefits for climacteric women. The prevalence of obesity, associated with a poorer quality of life, morbidity and mortality underscores the need for a feeding re-education program during the climacteric.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, RS, Brasil.
authors.forename: Carin Weirich
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Gallon
authors.forename: Maria Celeste Osório
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wender
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011788:Quality of Life