Obesity and low levels of physical activity are associated with a decreased health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women: a Wroclaw pilot study

Background: Menopause is associated with numerous somatic dysfunctions, an increased risk of chronicdiseases, and complications in the mental and social components of health that lower the quality of life(QoL). Obesity and related comorbidities affect over 60% of postmenopausal women in Poland. A significantrole for systematic physical activity (PA) in the prevention of dysfunctions and chronic diseases, includingobesity and mental disorders, has been observed previously. A low level of PA is observed across the Polishpopulation, especially in postmenopausal women.Aim of the study: To examine QoL in postmenopausal women participating in a community health promotionprogram as it relates to obesity and levels of PA.Material and methods: The study sample consisted of 76 postmenopausal women (aged 65.75±5.14 years)participating in the Active Wrocław 55+ program. Before starting the program, anthropometric measurementswere taken, and QoL and PA were assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) andthe International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), respectively.Results: Most women had a PA level above 600 MET -min/week (78.95%), and were overweight or obese(86.84%). A waist circumference over 80 cm, indicating an increased risk for metabolic syndrome, was observedin 85.89% of the participants. BMI and waist circumference negatively correlated with the level of PA(p=0.001 and p=0.017, respectively). Women exhibiting low levels of PA and higher BMIs showed a significantlylower QoL compared to those with higher PA and lower BMIs, particularly with regard to the physicaldomains of QoL.Conclusions: Obesity and a low level of PA are associated with a significant decline in the health-related QoL(especially in the PF and PCS domains) of postmenopausal women an urban setting.