Food consumption in postmenopausal women and its relation with anthropometric measurements and time since menopause

Abstract

To evaluate eating in postmenopausal women and its relation to anthropometry, age and time since menopause in São Bernardo do Campo residents. During the period from June to August of 2011, 148 postmenopausal women residents in state of São Paulo (Southeast region of Brazil) were evaluated using a structured questionnaire containing socioeconomic, clinical, anthropometric and food data. The level of physical activity, biochemical variables, Body Mass Index (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC) and dietary intake (energy, protein, carbohydrates and fats, fiber, cholesterol, vitamins A and C, minerals, calcium and iron) were analyzed according to age and time after menopause. Mean BMI was 29.0 ≤ 5.6 kg/m(2) and abdominal circumference was 95.7 ± 12.9 cm. The average daily caloric consumption was 1,406.3 ± 476.5 kcal. The calorie intake was significantly more appropriate in normal-weight women and women with AC<88 cm. The same was observed for protein intake (p<0.001 and p=0.006, respectively). No association was observed with age or duration of the postmenopausal period, except for average protein consumption that was higher in the group with five years or less of menopause (p=0.048). The anthropometry of postmenopausal women showed a predominance of overweight and obesity. Dietary intake was adequate in relation to the percentage of calories and macronutrients and calories among most normal-weight women and women with AC<88 cm.