Sedentary lifestyle in middle-aged women is associated with greater climacteric symptomatology and more obesity

Abstract

Background: Sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of obesity and worsens quality of life (QoL). Objectives: To evaluate the impact of sedentary lifestyle in climacteric symptomatology, QoL, and obesity. Methods: 6079women 40–59 years of age from 11 Latin American countries were studied. Their epidemiologic data and physical activity were recorded and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Athens Insomnia Scale were applied. Sedentary lifestyle was defined as the performance of less than three weekly 30min physical activity sessions. Results: Sedentary women have less years of education, more children, and less stable partners. Compared with active women, those sedentary have more climacteric symptoms (score in the MRS of 9.57±6.71 vs. 8.01±6.27 points, p<0.0001), a higher percentage with severe deterioration of the QoL (16.1% vs 10.6%, p<0.0001), and use less frequently hormone therapy, HT (12.0% vs. 15.4%, p<0.0001). As far as anthropometric indices, sedentary women have greater waist circumference (86.2±12.3 cm vs. 84.3±11.8 cm,p<0.0001)andahigherprevalenceofobesity (20.9% vs. 14.3%, p<0.0001). A logistic regression analysis shows that sedentary lifestyle is independently associated with more obesity (OR 1.52; CI 95%, 1.32–1.76) and more severe menopausal symptoms (OR 1.28; CI 95%, 1.06–1.53). On the contrary, less risk of sedentary lifestyle is associated with having a stable partner (OR: 0.85; CI 95%, 0.76–0.96), use of HT (OR: 0.75; CI 95%, 0.64–0.87) and having a better educational level (OR: 0.66; CI 95%, 0.60–0.74). Conclusion: Our study shows a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle in middle-aged women. This is associated with worse QoL due to severe climacteric symptoms and more obesity. Having a stable partner, use of HT, and a higher educational level implies a lesser risk of sedentary lifestyle.