Influence of the frequency of consumption of foodstuffs on the risk of overweight and obesity in a group of post-menopausal women

INTRODUCTION: A noticeable change during the post-menopausal period is a modification of nutritional behaviors. The aim was to study the frequency of consumption of specific foodstuffs by post-menopausal women. Additionally, the influence of nutritional behaviors on the risk of overweight and obesity among post-menopausal women was assessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 103 post-menopausal women in Poland in January to July 2016. It was a nationally recruited sample. To determine the frequency of consumption of foodstuffs the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ-D10) was used. Additionally, socio-economic data were gathered and anthropometric examinations were carried out. Finally, multivariate logistic regression was performed and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. RESULTS: The results showed that the most frequently consumed products included: vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, sausages and cold meats, refined and unrefined cereal products, milk and milk drinks, sweets, potatoes, cheeses and meat, butter, creams, and oil. The studied women reported no change in nutritional preferences and nutritional behavior during the post-menopausal period but 75% of surveyed women noticed a body weight change. The analysis of products’ consumption frequency did not reveal any actual impact on increased risk of becoming overweight or obese in the studied group of women (OR [95% CI], p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The development of overweight and obesity probably did not depend on the frequency of consumption of foodstuffs; however, the place of residence and professional activity could be significant.