Assessment of Nutritional Status of Menopausal Women

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of menopausal women. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters such as serum calcium and haemoglobin level of blood was estimated. Results indicated that mean values of body weight, BMI and hip circumference were significantly more among post menopausal women than that of pre menopausal and peri menopausal women whereas height of peri menopausal women was significantly more than that of pre menopausal and post menopausal women. On the other hand, waist hip ratio was significantly more among pre menopausal women than the other two groups of menopausal women. Mean value of serum calcium level was more in pre menopausal than that of peri menopausal and post menopausal women but significant difference was noticed among only in serum calcium level of peri menopausal and post menopausal women. More per cent of the pre menopausal women were having normal serum calcium (mg/dl) level than that of peri menopausal women and post menopausal women. Mean haemoglobin level in the blood of the menopausal women in the three stages did not differ significantly (p>0.05) and the mean value of haemoglobin of all the three groups of selected menopausal women was less than normal values. Whereas more per cent of pre menopausal women were found to be under normal haemoglobin category than that of peri menopausal and post menopausal women. On the whole the results indicated that women tend to gain body weight as they tend to reach towards the menopausal stage.