Physical activity level of postmenopausal women in Nigeria: Association with self-rated health status, overall obesity, and abdominal obesity.

Regular physical activity (PA) has been shown to have many health benefits in various populations, including postmenopausal women (n = 310). Self-rated health has been positively associated with PA. This cross-sectional survey of postmenopausal women in Nigeria was conducted from April to September 2012 to investigate associations among PA level, self-rated health, overall obesity (body mass index [BMI]), and abdominal obesity (waist-height ratio, waist-hip ratio, and waist circumference). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to classify PA. Chi-square and logistic regression were used for analyses with level of significance set at .05. Participants were aged 53.0 ± 4.2 years; moderate to vigorous PA was reported by 188 (60.0%), while 26 (8.4%) self-rated their health as poor/fair, and 242 (78.1%) were either predominantly overweight or obese when classified according to BMI. Participants with fair/poor self-rated health had less odds of involvement in moderate to vigorous PA. Obese postmenopausal women had greater odds of reporting lower PA. PA was positively related to self-rated health, which was negatively associated with overall obesity but not abdominal obesity. Measures to control obesity among postmenopausal women are essential in view of its direct association with poor self-rated health and low PA in this group of women.

Musculoskeletal pain among postmenopausal women in Nigeria: Association with overall and central obesity.

BACKGROUND: Menopausal women experience musculoskeletal changes such as muscle atrophy, muscle weakness and osteoporosis-symptoms associated with advancing age coupled with depletion of the female sex hormone, estrogen. Estrogen is important in the maintenance of the integrity of the musculoskeletal system and its reduction in the circulation due to menopausal transition results in reduced resting metabolic rate, lowered energy expenditure, increase in fat mass, and central adipose tissue accumulation. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) in postmenopausal women (PMW) in Nigeria. We examined the association of overall and central obesity with complaints of MSP and the screening potential of obesity measures for risk of musculoskeletal problems among PMW in Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of MSP in 310 PMW in Ibadan, Nigeria. MSP was assessed using the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and overall and central obesity were assessed using body mass index (BMI), waist/height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression models with the probability level at p = 0.05. RESULTS: Participants were of the modal age group (51-60 years). The highest prevalence rates of MSP were in the lower extremity (189; 61.0%) and the back (164; 52.9%). A direct association was observed between the categories of BMI and lower extremity symptoms (p < 0.05), and the categories of WHtR and waist circumference were associated with back and lower extremity symptoms (p < 0.05). Postmenopausal women had greater odds of reporting MSP across various classes of BMI. WHtR revealed the greatest odds for back (odds ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence interval 1.07-2.75) and lower extremity symptoms (odds ratio = 2.33, 95% confidence interval 1.44-3.78). CONCLUSION: Lower extremity and back pain symptoms were the most prevalent. For overall and central obesity directly associated with MSP, WHtR seemed the best obesity screening tool for MSP in postmenopausal women.