Impact of Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle on Anthropometric Characteristics, Climacteric Symptoms, Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in Women During Menopausal Transition

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of a lifestyle promotion based on the principles of the Mediterranean diet (MD) combined with regular physical exercise on climacteric symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in women in the menopausal transition. Methods: Among 100 perimenopausal women recruited, 80 (48 ± 2 years) with climacteric symptoms were eligible for the study and were randomized into two groups: an intervention group (n=40) that received nutritional counselling based on the principles of MD with the practice of regular activity during 8 weeks, and a control group (n=40). At baseline and 8 weeks after the initiation of nutritional intervention, we assessed daily energy expenditure and food intake, anthropometric characteristics, climacteric symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life. Results: Results showed that in the intervention group, compared to the control group, after 8 weeks of nutritional counselling, a significant decrease was noted in somatic and psychologic (p<0.01) symptoms. No significant difference was noted in urogenital symptoms. The quality of life was improved by the decrease of the Menopause Rating Score (-25%, p<0.001). A decrease was observed in subjective sleep quality (-27%, p<0.05), sleep duration (-39%, p<0.05), habitual sleep efficiency (-43%, p<0.05), and daytime dysfunction (-43%, p<0.01). The score of PSQI was decreased by (-31%, p<0.01), which meant that the quality of sleep improved. Conclusion: Anthropometric characteristics, climacteric symptoms, sleep quality and quality of life were improved in women on menopausal transition adopting a healthy lifestyle based on the principles of Mediterranean eating pattern combined with regular physical activity.