DIETARY ASPECTS, WEIGHT ISSUES AND BONE HEALTH AT AND POST-MENOPAUSE
Version: 1,
Uploaded by: Administrator,
Date Uploaded:
5 November 2022
Warning
You are about to be redirected to a website not operated by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council. Kindly note that we are not responsible for the availability or content of the linked site. Are you sure you want to leave this page?
Menopause is an inevitable physiological situation. A decline in oestrogen levels marks the characterisation of menopause. As such, menopausal women are subjected to an increased risk of adverse conditions related to the bone, heart and they experience weight issues as well. Osteoporosis not only impacts on the quality of life of menopausal women as it is also associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Judicious food choices go hand in hand with adequate regular physical activity since during the menopausal period, muscle mass is reduced and this can lead to weight gain over time. Nutrition holds a central role in health promotion among menopausal women. For instance, there has been a special emphasis on the therapeutic effects of phytoestrogens, calcium, low-caloric diets and adequate intake of fruit and vegetable nutrients during and after menopause. It is vital that menopausal women are made aware of the need of these nutrients and that they are able to give equal importance to a beneficial lifestyle approach to reduce menopausal symptoms. This chapter reviews scientific publications that deal with the risks of overweight/obesity, associations between changes in eating behaviours, physical activity and provides evidence on how appropriate lifestyle interventions can reduce the impact of long term health problems mainly obesity and osteoporosis associated with menopause.