Depression, stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women and its relationship with adiposity levels

Women in menopause have more mood swings than before menopause. Several studies attempt to clarify the role of menopause in the development of depression, anxiety, and stress in midlife. However, there is controversy about the relationship of body composition with psychological distress in postmeno...

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Main Authors: João Ferreira, Emília Alves, Catarina Abrantes, Ronaldo Gabriel, Paulo Silva, Helena Moreira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Desafio Singular 2024-04-01
Series:Motricidade
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.rcaap.pt/motricidade/article/view/31656
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author João Ferreira
Emília Alves
Catarina Abrantes
Ronaldo Gabriel
Paulo Silva
Helena Moreira
author_facet João Ferreira
Emília Alves
Catarina Abrantes
Ronaldo Gabriel
Paulo Silva
Helena Moreira
author_sort João Ferreira
collection DOAJ
description Women in menopause have more mood swings than before menopause. Several studies attempt to clarify the role of menopause in the development of depression, anxiety, and stress in midlife. However, there is controversy about the relationship of body composition with psychological distress in postmenopausal women. This study investigated the relationship between fat mass (FM) and visceral fat level (FVL) with anxiety, depression and stress in women with menopause for at least 1 year. The study included 50 women (57,49±5.62 years), 46% for more than 6 years in estrogen depletion. Women who documented the use of antidepressants or anxiolytics were excluded from the analysis. The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was administered, and body composition (FM, VFL, SMM - skeletal muscle mass) was assessed with the bioimpedance InBody 120. High levels of total and central adiposity were considered for %FM≥35% (Lohman & Going, 1998) and VFL>9 (Biospace, 2021). Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to analyse the association of variables. Comparisons between groups were conducted using non-parametric tests, based on the normality test results, and a statistical significance was set at p< 0.05. The largest part of the sample documented a natural menopause (86%) and the absence of hormone therapy. The mean DASS-21 scale was 10.56 (±8.83), with higher levels for stress (4.72±3.77) and depression (3.56±3.81). All women exhibited normal muscle condition (SMM≥16 kg), but most of them had obesity (68%), especially central obesity (76%). A significant association (p=0.04) was identified between %FM and the DASS-21 scale (r=0.20, p=0.04). Obese women had lower stress (p=0.04) but a higher value on the DASS-21 scale (p=0.04). In parallel, the presence of greater levels of central adiposity determined higher values of these two measures of psychological distress (p=0.01). The results suggest that postmenopausal women with higher levels of fat mass or central adiposity tend to have a higher DASS-21 scale score. Central obesity produces in women symptoms such as difficulty in relaxing, irritability, and nervous excitement.
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spelling doaj.art-168e59435a724e2fbd1093e0de3330b02024-04-21T15:38:08ZengDesafio SingularMotricidade1646-107X2182-29722024-04-0120S110.6063/motricidade.31656Depression, stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women and its relationship with adiposity levelsJoão Ferreira0Emília Alves1Catarina Abrantes2Ronaldo Gabriel3Paulo Silva4Helena Moreira5Cooperativa M.E. Leça da Palmeira, Portugal.Department of Sports Science, Douro Higher Institute of Educational Sciences, PenafielUniversidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, PortugalUniversidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, PortugalPenafiel's High School, Penafiel, PortugalUniversidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal Women in menopause have more mood swings than before menopause. Several studies attempt to clarify the role of menopause in the development of depression, anxiety, and stress in midlife. However, there is controversy about the relationship of body composition with psychological distress in postmenopausal women. This study investigated the relationship between fat mass (FM) and visceral fat level (FVL) with anxiety, depression and stress in women with menopause for at least 1 year. The study included 50 women (57,49±5.62 years), 46% for more than 6 years in estrogen depletion. Women who documented the use of antidepressants or anxiolytics were excluded from the analysis. The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was administered, and body composition (FM, VFL, SMM - skeletal muscle mass) was assessed with the bioimpedance InBody 120. High levels of total and central adiposity were considered for %FM≥35% (Lohman & Going, 1998) and VFL>9 (Biospace, 2021). Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to analyse the association of variables. Comparisons between groups were conducted using non-parametric tests, based on the normality test results, and a statistical significance was set at p< 0.05. The largest part of the sample documented a natural menopause (86%) and the absence of hormone therapy. The mean DASS-21 scale was 10.56 (±8.83), with higher levels for stress (4.72±3.77) and depression (3.56±3.81). All women exhibited normal muscle condition (SMM≥16 kg), but most of them had obesity (68%), especially central obesity (76%). A significant association (p=0.04) was identified between %FM and the DASS-21 scale (r=0.20, p=0.04). Obese women had lower stress (p=0.04) but a higher value on the DASS-21 scale (p=0.04). In parallel, the presence of greater levels of central adiposity determined higher values of these two measures of psychological distress (p=0.01). The results suggest that postmenopausal women with higher levels of fat mass or central adiposity tend to have a higher DASS-21 scale score. Central obesity produces in women symptoms such as difficulty in relaxing, irritability, and nervous excitement. https://revistas.rcaap.pt/motricidade/article/view/31656menopausefat massvisceral fatemotional state
spellingShingle João Ferreira
Emília Alves
Catarina Abrantes
Ronaldo Gabriel
Paulo Silva
Helena Moreira
Depression, stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women and its relationship with adiposity levels
Motricidade
menopause
fat mass
visceral fat
emotional state
title Depression, stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women and its relationship with adiposity levels
title_full Depression, stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women and its relationship with adiposity levels
title_fullStr Depression, stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women and its relationship with adiposity levels
title_full_unstemmed Depression, stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women and its relationship with adiposity levels
title_short Depression, stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women and its relationship with adiposity levels
title_sort depression stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women and its relationship with adiposity levels
topic menopause
fat mass
visceral fat
emotional state
url https://revistas.rcaap.pt/motricidade/article/view/31656
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AT ronaldogabriel depressionstressandanxietyinpostmenopausalwomenanditsrelationshipwithadipositylevels
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