ABSTRACT
Changes in sex hormone during the menopausal transition are thought to have an important impact on weight gain. Obesity is known to be a determinant of health and disease; especially cardiovascular diseases. We studied the waist circumference, body mass index and its correlation with the blood pressure of a sample of menopausal women in Zaria. The height (m), weight (kg), waist circumference (cm) and blood pressure (mmHg) of the women was assessed using standard methods, while the body mass index (BMI ) in kg/m2 was calculated. 165 subjects participated in the study, 77 were premenopausal women while 88 were postmenopausal women with mean ages 25.51±0.60yrs and 53.59±0.65yrs respectively. The subjects were selected based on some exclusion criteria. Postmenopausal women were more likely to be overweight (mean BMI 25.96±0.53kg/m2) compared with their premenopausal counterparts (23.13±0.57kg/m2); p<0.001. The menopausal women also had a higher waist circumference (93.04±1.60cm) as compared with the premenopausal women (78.87±1.30cm); p<0.001. Only 73.86% of the postmenopausal women had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 whereas the prevalence of central obesity was 79%. However, there was a significant positive correlation observed between waist circumference and the body mass index (p<0.05). These findings suggest that obesity is prevalent among the menopausal women while the waist circumference was found to be a better measure in assessing obesity and thus cardiovascular risk among menopausal women in Zaria. We recommend the establishment of menopause clinics for early identification of women at risk and hence commencement of intervention.
Key words: Body Mass Index, Blood pressure, Menopause, Obesity, Waist circumference
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methodology
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
6. Recommendation
7. Acknowledgement
Objectives and Topics
This research aims to evaluate the correlation between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure in postmenopausal women residing in Zaria, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of obesity and identify associated cardiovascular risks.
- Assessment of anthropometric indices in premenopausal and postmenopausal women
- Determination of obesity prevalence using BMI and waist circumference
- Analysis of the relationship between obesity markers and blood pressure
- Evaluation of menopause as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease
- Identification of the need for specialized menopause clinics
Excerpt from the book
INTRODUCTION
The prevalence of obesity is rising in developed and developing nations and studies have demonstrated a role for weight gain in morbidity and mortality risk (Huang et al, 1997; Flegal et al., 2005). Body composition changes become evident as women transition through menopause. These changes include an increase in overall and central adiposity, especially visceral adipose tissue, and a decrease in total and central lean tissue mass (Poehlman and Tchernof, 1998). In particular, central adiposity in postmenopausal women, as measured by the waist circumference, is recognised as an independent risk factor for developing insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, breast cancer, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases (Huang et al, 1997). The body mass index (BMI) is commonly utilised to represent the degree of body fat, it however does not capture body fat distribution which the waist circumference does. Studies indicate that even with a “normal” BMI, those with an elevated waist circumference can have a two fold increase in cardiovascular disease risk (Pischon et al., 2008). The current thrust in health is preventive medicine. There is however a dirge of menopause clinics in the country where monitoring and health education can be instituted. Hence the body mass index and waist circumference serves as an easy to perform, non-invasive and cost effective measurement that can be used in monitoring at primary health centres and out patient clinics.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the scientific context regarding obesity risks during menopause and establishes the study's purpose in the Nigerian population.
Materials and Methodology: Outlines the cross-sectional study design, participant selection criteria, and the specific anthropometric and blood pressure measurement techniques used.
Results: Presents comparative anthropometric data between premenopausal and postmenopausal groups and displays the correlation matrix between health variables.
Discussion: Interprets the findings regarding the higher BMI and waist circumference in postmenopausal women and reviews them against existing medical literature.
Conclusion: Summarizes the increased cardiovascular risk among the studied postmenopausal population and notes the lack of significant correlation between BMI and diastolic blood pressure.
Recommendation: Proposes the development of ethnic-specific waist circumference cut-offs and the creation of dedicated menopause clinics for early intervention.
Acknowledgement: Expresses gratitude to the technical staff of the Faculty of Medicine for their support during the research process.
Keywords
Body Mass Index, Blood pressure, Menopause, Obesity, Waist circumference, Zaria, Nigeria, Cardiovascular risk, Adiposity, Preventive medicine, Anthropometry, Postmenopausal health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
The study focuses on assessing the impact of menopause on body composition, specifically measuring BMI and waist circumference, and their relationship with blood pressure among women in Zaria, Nigeria.
Which health indices were evaluated?
The researchers evaluated height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure, using these to calculate body mass index (BMI) and categorize obesity levels.
What is the core research question?
The core question is whether postmenopausal women in a semi-urban Nigerian population show significantly higher markers of obesity and cardiovascular risk compared to their premenopausal counterparts.
What research methodology was employed?
A cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted involving 165 women, utilizing standardized anthropometric measurements and statistical analysis via Student’s t-Test and correlation coefficients.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the physiological changes during menopause, the comparative analysis of obesity markers between study groups, and the implications of these findings for preventive cardiovascular health.
What are the characterizing keywords for this paper?
Key terms include Body Mass Index, Blood pressure, Menopause, Obesity, and Waist circumference.
How does waist circumference compare to BMI in this study?
The study indicates that waist circumference may be a more accurate or "better" measure for identifying cardiovascular risk and central obesity in postmenopausal women than BMI alone.
What did the authors conclude regarding the relationship between BMI and blood pressure?
While the study found high levels of obesity, it noted that there was no significant statistical relationship observed between BMI and diastolic blood pressure in the studied cohort.
What specific interventions do the authors suggest?
The authors recommend establishing dedicated menopause clinics to provide early health education and lifestyle modifications to mitigate obesity-related risks.
- Quote paper
- Joseph Toryila (Author), L.N. Achie (Author), K.V. Olorunshola (Author), J.A. Tende (Author), 2012, The Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference and Blood Pressure of Postmenopausal Women in Zaria, Northern Nigeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/192048
