Guidelines for dietary management of menopausal women with simple obesity

Obesity has been recognized as a worldwide epidemic of the 21st century. Almost 65% of the world population lives in countries where excess body weight is the reason for higher mortality than underweight. In the period from 1980 to 2008 the number of obese people (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) increased two-fold globally [1]. According to the data of the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), obese women aged 45-64 constitute 22.9% of women in the states of the European Union. The percentage of older obese women was three-fold higher than in the younger group of women aged 22-44. These data were published in 2008 [2]. According to the latest data of the World Health Organization (WHO), in Poland in 2010, the percentage of overweight women aged 30-100 amounted to 62.6% and the percentage of obese women at the same age range amounted to 26.9%. The average BMI for women aged 30-100 was 26.9 kg/m² [3]. The results of PolSenior project entitled “Medical, Psychological and Socioeconomic Aspects of Aging in Poland” published in 2012 provide the following information. In the group of 380 examined women aged 55-59, it has been reported that 37.9% of them were diagnosed with overweight and 37.1% with obesity [4].
The methods used to determine body weight and its particular components differ in terms of techniques utilized and accuracy achieved. The most popular and simple methods to measure body weight and its particular components include anthropometry and bioimpedance analysis. More complex methods include dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), magnetic resonance imaging, hydrostatic weighing, air-displacement plethysmography, a deuterium and bromide dilution method etc. The agreed obesity boundary value is 120% of the adjusted ideal body weight (AIBW), which corresponds to BMI = 30 kg/m². Estimating the body fat percentage is said to be a more precise measurement of body weight than BMI. In normal conditions, body fat in adult women does not exceed 28% of the real body weight. Obesity is diagnosed when body fat exceeds 32% of the total body weight. In order to determine the influence of the excess body weight on an increased risk of particular diseases (e.g. circulatory system diseases), the method of measuring waist circumference is used. Waist circumference greater than 88 cm in women indicates abdominal obesity. A waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) reveals a positive correlation with the measurements of the abdominal and peritoneal fat thickness estimated using other methods. It is calculated by dividing the waist circumference at the umbilicus (cm) by the hip circumference at the superior iliac spines (cm). The obtained value in women should not exceed 0.8. Values greater than 0.8 indicate android and abdominal obesity. Such adipose tissue distribution increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases [5].
During menopause the risk of developing obesity increases. Hormonal changes that occur in the menopausal period may contribute to higher accumulation of the adipose tissue, particularly within the abdominal cavity [6]. An increase in body fat results from decreased production of estradiol (E2) and body energy requirement which varies with age [7]. Visceral fat increase occurs in women as early as 3-4 years prior to menopause, manifesting a negative correlation with E2 levels and a positive correlation with folliculotropic hormone levels (FSH) at the same time. Estrogens control lipolysis by increasing lipoprotein lipase activity of the adipose tissue or by increasing lipolytic activity of adrenaline [8]. The American Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation conducted among 3257 women has revealed a negative correlation between BMI and the levels of E2 and FSH in premenopausal women and women at the early perimenopausal stage, as well as a positive correlation in the group of women at later perimenopausal and postmenopausal stages [9]. The research carried out on the animal models proves that the cessation of ovarian function increases body fat accumulation regardless of a diet being followed. Excess body weight in menopausal women is related to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, as well as diminished quality of life and sexual potency [6]. The incidence of obesity among menopausal women is high. In the study by Dąbrowska et al. conducted among 136 women from the Silesian Voivodeship aged 45-65, the incidence scale of excess body weight in perimenopausal women was evaluated. Excess body weight was diagnosed in 60% of examined women, including obesity in 24% of them. The lowest body fat percentage was reported in women aged 45-50 (32.15%), greater in women aged 51-60 (32.28%), and the greatest in women aged 61-65 (35.5%). Moreover, the research revealed a positive correlation between the body fat percentage and BMI (p < 0.0001), as well as a significant decrease in the body water percentage along with an increase in BMI (p < 0.01) [10]. The research by Kroemeke et al., which evaluated physical activity and body composition among 79 healthy postmenopausal women, emphasized that a correct BMI was observed only in the group of women with a significantly high level of physical activity, which meant going more than 12 500 steps a day. Additionally, the research revealed statistically significantly lower values of BMI, WHR, body fat and visceral body fat in the group of women with the highest level of physical activity as compared with the other groups [11]. The results obtained by Zivkovic et al. being a part of the national cross-sectional epidemiological study on assessment of incidence of metabolic syndrome and obesity of Serbian women also confirm the above data. The group of 1075 women was subdivided into five groups: “premenopausal” (n = 95, average age: 37 ± 5.3), “perimenopausal” (n = 105, average age: 47 ± 4.6), “early menopausal” (n = 175, average age: 54 ± 4.5), “late postmenopausal” (n = 460, average age: 58 ± 8.8) and “geripausal” (n = 240, average age: 68 ± 10.7). Abdominal obesity defined as a waist circumference greater than 80 cm has been diagnosed in each examined woman (92 ± 12.5 cm). The average BMI amounted to 28.5 ± 4.9 kg/m² [12]. In the study by Park et al. conducted in the group of 1422 Korean women aged 45-55, it has been found that there is a statistically significant difference in the average waist circumference between postmenopausal women and premenopausal women (80.44 cm vs. 78.94 cm). Moreover, the study has revealed statistically significantly higher values of systolic blood pressure (115.22 mmHg vs. 118.33 mmHg, p = 0.003) and diastolic blood pressure (75.25 mmHg vs. 76.94 mmHg, p = 0.009), total cholesterol levels (189.39 mg/dl vs. 210.06 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (111.91 mg/dl vs. 137.20 mg/dl, p = 0.001) in the group of postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women [13]. Many studies describe increased risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, as well as inflammatory markers. Furthermore, in the study by Jouyandeh et al., metabolic syndrome has been diagnosed in 30.1% out of 118 Iranian postmenopausal women. In the study the criteria of the report of Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) have been used [14]. The prospective cohort study by Elliasen et al. has shown an increased risk of breast neoplasm in women with body weight gain of 10 kg and more (p = 0.002) since the onset of menopause. On the other hand, body weight loss of 10 kg and more in postmenopausal women has diminished the risk of breast neoplasm (p = 0.01) [15].

Obesity treatment

The major goal of obesity treatment is to reduce body weight, diminish the risk of disorders associated with excess body weight and to prevent regaining the lost weight [16]. The studies show that the most effective method to prevent overweight and obesity during menopause is to follow a proper diet and do physical activity [17]. Following a low calorie diet constitutes one of the management stages when it comes to excess body weight, within which the following stages are included [18]:
1) non-pharmacological treatment, such as diet and physical activity,
2) pharmacological treatment,
3) surgical treatment.
In the case of grade 1 obesity, treatment involves introducing a proper low energy diet, undertaking physical activity, changing lifestyle, and if the goal is not achieved, pharmacological treatment should also be implemented. In the case of grade 2 obesity, surgical treatment needs to be additionally provided, if a given individual suffers from concomitant diseases and the desired effects have failed to be achieved at earlier stages. As far as individuals with grade 3 obesity are concerned, they are subject to obligatory surgical treatment if the body weight loss has not been obtained by means of earlier stages of obesity treatment [18, 19]. In the study by Mastorakos et al., a therapeutic approach regarding postmenopausal women has been presented. It should begin with a complex assessment of obesity, risk factors relating to cardiovascular diseases and other components of metabolic syndrome. The stages of obesity treatment are identical with the ones presented above [8].

Diet

Excess body weight is associated with numerous health risks, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (DM2), dyslipidemia, hypertension, cholelithiasis, some types of neoplasms, hepatic steatosis, gastroesophageal reflux, obstructive sleep apnea, gout and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [8]. It has been proved that 5% body weight loss compared with the original weight brings a number of health benefits, such as lower total cholesterol level, low-density lipoproteins (LDL-cholesterol) and lower triglycerides level. The subsequent outcome of following a suitable low energy diet also includes an increase in very high-density lipoproteins (HDL-cholesterol). Moreover, the examined individuals are observed with reduced hyperinsulinemia, decreased glucose level, as well as lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure that exceeded normal range values. General well-being and quality of life also improve [20].
An adequately prepared diet should meet all nutritional requirements in a suitable amount and proportion. It is recommended that body weight loss should not exceed 4 kg per month, i.e. it should stay within 0.5-1 kg per week.
Following a diet with improper energy and nutrients supply may deteriorate health condition of the patient and decrease chances for permanent body weight reduction [18, 21]. Very low calorie diets (VLCD) – less than 800 kcal daily – may be followed provided such a diet is ordered by a physician and is implemented under medical supervision [22, 23]. The methodology to prepare a low energy diet consists of the following stages:
1. Estimating energy requirement – calculating basal metabolic rate (BMR) by means of the Harris-Benedict equation [24], equation by Mifflin et al. [25], or applying equations to calculate BMR used by experts of FAO, WHO, UNU dated 1985 and 2004 [26]. The equations are presented in Table I.
2. Estimating protein requirement (0.8-1 g/kg of adjusted ideal body weight [AIBW] or 20-25% of daily energy requirement).
3. Estimating fat requirement (20-25% of daily energy requirement).
4. Estimating carbohydrates requirement (supplementation of energy requirement about 45-50% of daily energy requirement).
5. Determining food rations.
6. Dividing daily rations into meals.
7. Planning a menu (4-5 meals daily).
The followed low energy diet should also be a high fiber diet and eliminate high glycemic index foods (GI < 75). An optimal number of meals are 4-5 meals a day every three hours [21]. Daily protein intake should not be lower than 0.8 g/kg of adjusted ideal body weight. The diet ought to be planned in such a way that additional 1.75 γ of animal protein with high nutritional properties covers a deficit of 100 kcal. Total daily protein supply should be within 20-25% of daily energy requirement. Whilst the diet is being followed, fat energy supply should not exceed 30% of energy requirement. It should be noted that saturated fats ought to provide less than 7% of energy, polyunsaturated fats of n-6 linoleic acid almost 8% of energy, and of n-3 about 2% of energy. The remaining amount of consumed fat should include monounsaturated fats (n-9). Carbohydrates supplement the diet, yet their amount should not be less than 130 γ a day [27]. Fiber supply should be within 20-30 γ daily, and soluble fiber should constitute 25% of it. During the diet, it is recommended to drink 2 litres of still water. In addition, table salt intake should be limited to 5 γ a day [18, 21, 28, 29]. Supply of vitamins and minerals should be in accordance with the standards of the Food and Nutrition Institute (Instytut Żywości i Żywienia), which are currently binding in Poland [27]. Table II presents a sample menu dedicated to a menopausal woman with simple obesity.

Conclusions

Menopause is a period when changes occurring in a woman’s body may lead to body weight gain. At the same time, these changes are conducive to the development of diseases that are nowadays referred to as diseases of affluence. Therefore, adequate management seems to be essential, and it should involve dietary, pharmacological and/or surgical treatment, depending on the patient’s needs. It is recommended to observe the guidelines on dietary management described in the above article by adjusting a diet plan individually.

Disclosure

Authors report no conflict of interest.

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