Highlights
- •In this study of postmenopausal women, most of the caloric intake was from fresh and minimally processed foods.
- •Higher consumption of vegetables was associated with lower intensity of vasomotor symptoms and better quality of life.
- •Intake of ultra-processed foods was associated with more intense vasomotor and sexual symptoms.
- •Intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages and sausage were related to greater intensity of somatic symptoms and worse memory and concentration.
- •Worse self-rated health, obesity, and comorbidity increased symptom intensity.
- •Older age and higher education were protective against menopausal symptoms.
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate in postmenopausal women the association between menopause symptom intensity
and the quality of life and clinical, anthropometric, and lifestyle factors, focusing
on food consumption by degree of processing.
Study design
A cross-sectional study of 288 postmenopausal women using interviews.
Main outcome measures
The Kupperman-Blatt Menopausal Index and the Women's Health Questionnaire were used
to evaluate the main outcomes of menopausal symptom intensity and quality of life,
respectively. Data on socioeconomic, clinical, anthropometric, and lifestyle variables
(smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, and food consumption) were collected.
Results
Most women had moderate to severe intensity of menopausal symptoms. The highest tertile
of ultra-processed food consumption was associated with a greater intensity of vasomotor
symptoms (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.73, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.55–0.96) and
sexual behavior (PR 1.22, CI 1.01–1.49). Higher intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages
and sausages were associated with somatic symptoms (PR 1.23, CI 1.01–1.49) and poorer
memory/concentration (PR 1.22, CI 1.02–1.47/ PR 1.22, CI 1.01–1.48). The highest tertile
of vegetable intake was associated with greater protection against depressive mood
(PR 0.64, CI 0.43–0.96), vasomotor symptoms (PR 0.79, CI 0.63–0, 99), and sleep disorders
(PR 0.83, CI 0.69–0.99), and better quality of life (PR 0.79, CI 0.62–0.99).
Conclusion
More intense vasomotor, sexual, somatic, and memory and concentration symptoms are
associated with a higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, whereas those with
a higher consumption of vegetables reported lower menopause symptom intensity and
a better quality of life.
Keywords
Abbreviations:
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Hospital das Clínicas (School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, FMUSP), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), 24 h dietary recall (R24h), center for epidemiological research in nutrition and health (FSP/USP), Kupperman-Blatt menopausal index (K-BMI), women's health questionnaire (WHQ), prevalence ratio (PR), confidence intervals (CI), mayonnaise (liquid oils, sweets, and desserts, MLSD), solid fats and snacks (SFS)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 29, 2021
Accepted:
October 24,
2021
Received:
August 23,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
