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Identifying and promoting the specific nutrition and physical activity needs of women aged 40 and over
Med J Aust 2000; 173 Suppl 6 November: S89-S111
Most of the diseases that confront women in First World countries during their middle and later years of life are, to some extent, a consequence of lifestyle and nutrition, and potentially preventable. These diseases include type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and skin and lung cancer. Lifestyle factors may also be involved with cancer development, particularly breast and colon cancer.
This Supplement focuses on the impact of nutrition and physical activity in women as they approach menopause, and beyond. Menopause should not be viewed in isolation from adolescence and the reproductive years, as diet, exercise and other behavioural patterns in early life influence the risk of disease beyond the reproductive years. However, it is never too late to modify lifestyle to optimise health and wellbeing. The best way to prepare for the transition into the menopause is to anticipate the biological effects, associated health risks and psychological outcomes.
Up to 65% of Australian women over 45 years of age are overweight, and their mean dietary intakes of calcium and zinc are below the recommended dietary intakes (RDI).1 The average daily fibre consumption by women in this age group is also below what is recommended.1 These findings reconfirm that an energy-dense diet is often nutritionally deficient.1
Women in their late reproductive years have an enormous appetite for health information. As a consumer group, they are targeted by the media and are increasingly deluged, as are their healthcare providers, by information. Unfortunately, much of this information is not evidence-based and is often conflicting and confusing. Food faddism and "crash diets" continue to be promoted -- recent examples include emphasis on soy products and the low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet to achieve weight loss.
Clearly, credible, easily interpretable guidelines need to be established for healthcare providers and the community at large. This Supplement to The Medical Journal of Australia contains contributions by Australian health professionals who are authorities in their respective fields. It provides sound clinical perspectives based on published information from which health practitioners can derive appropriate clinical advice for their patients.
Go to the contents list . . . See also Recommendations for nutrition and physical activity for Australian children An initiative of The Jean Hailes Foundation
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© 2000 Medical Journal of Australia.
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