Influence of habitual physical activity on body composition, fat distribution and metabolic variables in early postmenopausal women receiving hormonal therapy

Association between Physical Activity, Body Composition, and Metabolic Disorders in Middle-Aged Women of Ksar el Kebir (Morocco)

This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity (PA), body composition, and metabolic disorders in a population of Moroccan women classified by menopausal status. This cross-sectional study comprised 373 peri- and postmenopausal women aged 45-64 years old. PA levels were assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Body composition and metabolic disorders were assessed by measurements of anthropometric and biological parameters: weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), WC/HC ratio, percent body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and serum lipids (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL-C, and LDL-C). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. Pearson correlations were used to test for associations. The mean total PA score of perimenopausal women was 1683.51 ± 805.36 MET-min/week, and of postmenopausal women was 1450.81 ± 780.67 MET-min/week. In all participants, peri- and postmenopausal women, PA was significantly and inversely associated with BMI, weight, percent body fat, HC, WC, and number of MetS components (p < 0.01), and with fasting blood glucose, TC, TG, and LDL-C (p < 0.05). The frequencies of metabolic disorders, obesity, abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and MetS were significantly lower at moderate and intense levels of PA (p < 0.05), in also all participants. In middle-aged women, particularly those who are peri-menopausal, PA at moderate and intense levels is associated with more favorable body composition and less frequent metabolic disorders. However, in this particular study, PA does not appear to be associated with blood pressure and HDL-C concentrations. Future studies may be needed to further clarify these findings.

Domestic Physical Activity and New-Onset Hypertension: A Nationwide Cohort Study in China

BACKGROUND

The relation of domestic physical activity with hypertension remains uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the prospective relation of domestic physical activity and new-onset hypertension among Chinese males and females.

METHODS

A total of 9254 adults who were free of hypertension at baseline were enrolled from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Data on domestic physical activity were obtained by using self-reported questionnaires, and calculated as metabolic equivalent task (MET)-hours/week. Metabolic equivalent task-hours/week may account for both intensity and time spent on activities. The study outcome was new-onset hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or diagnosed by physician or under antihypertensive treatment during the follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 2892 participants developed hypertension during 81996 person-years of follow-up. Overall, there were reversed J-shaped associations between the domestic physical activity and new-onset hypertension in both males and females (both P values for nonlinearity < .001). Consistently, when domestic physical activity was assessed as categories (<10, 10 -< 20, 20 -< 30, 30 -< 40, 40 -< 50, 50 -< 60, 60 -<70, 70 -< 80, 80 -< 90, 90 -< 100, ≥100 MET-hours/week), compared with those with domestic physical activity < 10 MET-hours/week, the lower and similar risks of new-onset hypertension were found in participants with domestic physical activity 30 -< 90 MET-hours/week in both males and females.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate domestic physical activity was associated with a lower risk of new-onset hypertension among both males and females.

The role of physical activity in preventing obesity in midlife women

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is one of the most common nutrition-related disorders worldwide and one of the major health problems in menopausal women, which significantly worsens the quality of life and can lead to severe diseases or even premature death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between physical activity in different domains undertaken by menopausal women while performing daily activities and their body mass index (BMI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted on a random sample of 400 healthy Polish women aged 45-55. The questionnaire contained questions concerning the respondents' socio-economic status, medical history and the long format of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used.

RESULTS

Fifty-one percent (50.6%) of women had normal body mass, 43.75% of respondents were overweighed and 5.65% of women were obese. A moderate physical activity level was presented by most midlife women in domestic and garden domain, active transportation and leisure time. Pearson's correlation showed that such factors as age, education and physical activity level in different domains have a significant correlation with BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Most respondents presented a moderate physical activity level in all domains except work, where the respondents had a high physical activity (PA) level. A high PA level especially at work (r = -0.5788) and during leisure time (r = -0.5175) strongly correlate with lower BMI.

The association of physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortalities among older adults

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortalities among older adults.

METHODS

A study sample consisting of 77,541 community-dwelling Taipei citizens aged ≥ 65 years was selected based on data obtained from the government-sponsored Annual Geriatric Health Examination Program between 2006 and 2010. Subjects were asked how many times they had physical activity for ≥ 30 min during the past 6 months. Mortality was determined by matching cohort identifications with national death files.

RESULTS

Compared to subjects with no physical activity, those who had 1-2 times of physical activity per week had a decreased risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 0.77; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-0.85). Subjects with 3-5 times of physical activity per week had a further decreased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.58-0.70). An inverse dose-response relationship was observed between physical activity and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. According to stratified analyses, physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of mortality in most subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity had an inverse association with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality among older adults. Furthermore, most elderly people can benefit from an active lifestyle.

Association between habitual physical activity and lower cardiovascular risk in premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

Menopause is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Habitual physical activity, defined as any form of body movement with energy expenditure above resting levels, may improve health parameters. We assessed the level of habitual physical activity and its effect on anthropometric measures and cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study is nested on a longitudinal population-based study that was begun in 1995 in the city of Passo Fundo, Brazil. For the present analysis, 292 women were included. Anthropometric and metabolic profile was evaluated. Habitual physical activity was assessed by a digital pedometer for 7 days, and participants were stratified into active and inactive (≥6,000 and <6,000 steps/day, respectively).

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age was 57.1 (5.4) years. The average number of steps per day for the total sample was 5,250.7 (3,372.9): 3,472.4 (1,570.2) in the inactive group (61.8%) and 9,055.9 (3,033.4) in the active group (31.9%). A negative and statistically significant correlation was found between physical activity and smoking (P = -0.019), body mass index (P = -0.006), waist circumference (P = -0.013), and waist-to-hip ratio of 0.85 or higher (P = -0.043). Inactive women presented a higher risk of overweight/obesity (odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% CI, 1.233-3.622; P = 0.006) and waist circumference larger than 88 cm (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.054-2.942; P = 0.03), even after adjustment for age, menopause status, smoking, and hormone therapy. Inactive women also had a higher risk of diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.233-6.295; P = 0.014) and metabolic syndrome (OR, 2.5, 95% CI, 1.443-4.294; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Habitual physical activity, specifically walking 6,000 or more steps daily, was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in middle-aged women, independently of menopause status.

A step-defined sedentary lifestyle index: <5000 steps/day

Step counting (using pedometers or accelerometers) is widely accepted by researchers, practitioners, and the general public. Given the mounting evidence of the link between low steps/day and time spent in sedentary behaviours, how few steps/day some populations actually perform, and the growing interest in the potentially deleterious effects of excessive sedentary behaviours on health, an emerging question is "How many steps/day are too few?" This review examines the utility, appropriateness, and limitations of using a reoccurring candidate for a step-defined sedentary lifestyle index: <5000 steps/day. Adults taking <5000 steps/day are more likely to have a lower household income and be female, older, of African-American vs. European-American heritage, a current vs. never smoker, and (or) living with chronic disease and (or) disability. Little is known about how contextual factors (e.g., built environment) foster such low levels of step-defined physical activity. Unfavorable indicators of body composition and cardiometabolic risk have been consistently associated with taking <5000 steps/day. The acute transition (3-14 days) of healthy active young people from higher (>10 000) to lower (<5000 or as low as 1500) daily step counts induces reduced insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, increased adiposity, and other negative changes in health parameters. Although few alternative values have been considered, the continued use of <5000 steps/day as a step-defined sedentary lifestyle index for adults is appropriate for researchers and practitioners and for communicating with the general public. There is little evidence to advocate any specific value indicative of a step-defined sedentary lifestyle index in children and adolescents.

Cardiac autonomic modulation in polycystic ovary syndrome: does the phenotype matter?

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and during sympathetic stimulation is disturbed in patients with different polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes in comparison to healthy controls.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Thirty women with classic, anovulatory PCOS, 16 women with ovulatory PCOS, and 23 age-paired women with regular and proven ovulatory cycles.

INTERVENTION(S)

Anthropometric and hormonal evaluation and analysis of HRV (time and frequency domain HRV indices) at rest and after a mental stress test.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Difference between HRV components during rest and stress.

RESULT(S)

Mean age was 22.80 ± 5.80 years in patients with classic PCOS, 19.81 ± 6.43 years in ovulatory PCOS, and 22.65 ± 5.89 years in controls. During mental stress, patients with classic PCOS showed lower HRV response when compared with the control group, even after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) and age. When patients with classic and ovulatory PCOS were considered together, total T levels were inversely associated with the low frequency component, low frequency/high frequency ratio, and the difference between high frequency response at rest and after the stress test.

CONCLUSION(S)

Young patients with the classic PCOS phenotype have an impaired autonomic modulation in response to sympathetic stimulation that is typical of considerably older women, or of advanced age.

Benefits of pedometer-measured habitual physical activity in healthy women

This cross-sectional study aimed at (i) characterizing pedometer-determined physical activity and (ii) examining its associations with dietary intake and anthropometric and metabolic profile in healthy women. Anthropometric and metabolic profile was evaluated in 68 healthy women of reproductive age. Habitual physical activity was assessed using a pedometer for 6 consecutive days, including weekends. Participants were stratified into active and inactive according to the mean steps·day–1(≥6000 and <6000, respectively). Food consumption was evaluated by 24-h recall in a subsample of 35 participants. Thirty-eight women were defined as active and had significantly lower body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, waist circumference, sum of skinfold thickness, insulin, and HOMA than the sedentary group. Mean BMI was 27 kg·m–2(overweight) in active participants and 31 kg·m–2(class I obesity) in inactive participants. Active women consumed more carbohydrates (55.5% ± 9.4% vs. 46.3% ± 7.6%) and calories (2138 ± 679 vs. 1664 ± 558 kcal), and less protein (15.4% ± 4.2% vs. 19.9% ± 5.8%) and lipids (29.0% ± 7.2% vs. 33.8% ± 6.2%) than inactive individuals (p < 0.05). Fiber, cholesterol, and fatty acid intake was similar in both groups. The number of steps was lower on Sunday than on weekdays for the overall group. Using a pedometer for 3 days was sufficient to determine habitual physical activity (sensitivity: 94%; specificity 91% vs. 6 days of pedometer use). In the present study, nonstructured physical activity was associated with more adequate dietary consumption and contributed toward a healthier anthropometric and metabolic profile in young women, despite the high prevalence of overweight.