Psychosocial correlates of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength in overweight and obese post-menopausal women: A MONET study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychosocial correlates of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) and muscle strength in overweight and obese sedentary post-menopausal women. The study population consisted of 137 non-diabetic, sedentary overweight and obese post-menopausal women (mean age 57.7 years, s = 4.8; body mass index 32.4 kg.m(-2), s = 4.6). At baseline we measured: (1) body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; (2) visceral fat using computed tomography; (3) insulin sensitivity using the hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp; (4) cardiorespiratory fitness; (5) muscle strength using the leg press exercise; and (6) psychosocial profile (quality of life, perceived stress, self-esteem, body-esteem, and perceived risk for developing chronic diseases) using validated questionnaires. Both VO2peak and muscle strength were significantly correlated with quality of life (r = 0.29, P < 0.01 and r = 0.30, P < 0.01, respectively), and quality of life subscales for: physical functioning (r = 0.28, P < 0.01 and r = 0.22, P < 0.05, respectively), pain (r = 0.18, P < 0.05 and r = 0.23, P < 0.05, respectively), role functioning (r = 0.20, P < 0.05 and r = 0.24, P < 0.05, respectively), and perceived risks (r = -0.24, P < 0.01 and r = -0.30, P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, VO2peak was significantly associated with positive health perceptions, greater body esteem, and less time watching television/video. Stepwise regression analysis showed that quality of life for health perceptions and for role functioning were independent predictors of VO2peak and muscle strength, respectively. In conclusion, higher VO2peak and muscle strength are associated with a favourable psychosocial profile, and the psychosocial correlates of VO2peak were different from those of muscle strength. Furthermore, psychosocial factors could be predictors of VO2peak and muscle strength in our cohort of overweight and obese sedentary post-menopausal women.

Identifying Metabolically Healthy but Obese Individuals in Sedentary Postmenopausal Women

“…After reading and signing the consent form, each participant was invited to the Metabolic Unit for a series of tests. Inclusion criteria and methods for body composition, computed tomography, blood pressure, blood samples, OGTT, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2 peak ), energy expenditure, and insulin sensitivity were determined as previously described (25,26,27,28). Briefly, women were included in the study if they met the following criteria: (i) BMI between 30 and 40 kg/m 2 , (ii) cessation of menstruation for >1 year and a follicle‐stimulating hormone level ≥30 U/l, and (iii) free of known inflammatory disease.…”

Effects of the addition of a resistance training programme to a caloric restriction weight loss intervention on psychosocial factors in overweight and obese post-menopausal women: A Montreal Ottawa New Emerging Team study

“…Although some investigators have reported improvements in quality of life with resistance training (Rejeski et al, 2002), others have not (Perrig-Chiello, Perrig, Ehrsam, Staehelin, & Krings, 1998). Thus, this area of study needs to be addressed because: (1) there are limited and contradictory data on the effect of resistance training combined with caloric restriction on individuals' psychosocial profile; (2) resistance training-strength activities are part of current physical activity recommendations (Haskell et al, 2007); and (3) psychosocial correlates may differ for cardiorespiratory fitness, as related to aerobic activities, compared with muscle strength, as related to resistance training (Karelis et al, 2008).…”

How to evaluate quality of life in overweight and obese women during climacterium?

“…31 The SF-36 and Medical Outcomes Study General Health Survey (MOS) questionnaires, which are derived from the same study, were the most prevalent generic tools, being found in eight articles. 23,25,26,[28][29][30][31][32] The SF-36 was the most widely adopted, being found in six articles, 23,25,26,[30][31][32] which is consistent with the literature, since it is the most widely used generic instrument documented in over four hundred publications. 40,41 However, none of these questionnaires takes into consideration important aspects such as menopausal symptoms or specific psychosocial conditions regarding this time of life, which hinders the assessment of quality of life in this population.…”

“…Six articles used generic instruments combined with psychosocial questionnaires, showing that the use of generic instruments may fail to take into account important aspects of quality of life in the period close to menopause. 23,25,27,29,31,32 Ashok et al 22 used the World Health Organization five-item well-being index (WHO-5) well-being questionnaire, which assesses psychological and not physical dimensions related to menopause. 22 Lynch et al 25 used the SF-36 together with a questionnaire to determine psychosocial quality of life created from instruments used in the life circumstances, should be included; i.e., occupational, sexual, emotional and health-related factors.…”

“…Eleven used generic questionnaires, [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] while eight employed specific instruments to assess quality of life in women before and after menopause. 9,33-39 A single article made reference to a specific questionnaire related to obesity.…”