Healthier dietary pattern and lower risk of metabolic syndrome in physically active postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between habitual physical activity and dietary intake, body composition, metabolic and hormonal variables, and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with no evidence of cardiovascular disease.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 105 women (mean age: 55.2 ± 4.9 years) consulting for climacteric symptoms underwent anthropometric and hormonal assessment. Usual dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire and habitual physical activity was assessed with a digital pedometer. Participants were classified as physically inactive (<6000 steps daily) or physically active (≥6000 steps daily).


RESULTS
Compared to the inactive group, active women had higher protein, total fat, cholesterol, iron, calcium, and the antioxidant micronutrients zinc and selenium intake as well as differences on food groups: higher meat, egg, and whole-dairy intake and lower intake of chips. Active participants also presented lower diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.012), ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP; p = 0.011), fasting glucose (p = 0.003), fasting insulin (p = 0.019), and homeostasis model assessment index (p = 0.017). After adjustment for age and time since menopause, the risk for metabolic syndrome increased with physical inactivity (odds ratio [OR] = 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-11.66), us-CRP (OR = 6.57, 95% CI, 2.20-19.56), and percentage body fat (OR = 5.65, 95% CI, 1.19-28.89).


CONCLUSIONS
Both physical activity and dietary choices may have contributed toward a more favorable cardiovascular profile and lower risk of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.
a Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology , Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA).
Thaís R
TR
Silva
Bruna Cherubini
BC
Alves
Maria A
MA
Maturana
Poli M
PM
Spritzer
D000273:Adipose Tissue; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein