Biological symptoms of aging in women regarding physical activity and lifestyle

Abstract

Purpose. Menopause in many women is related to worse health conditions, increased diseases incidence and body mass. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether the differentiation of the involutional changes related to the climacteric period depends on women's physical activity and selected aspects of lifestyle. The following aging indices were analyzed: age of menopause, value of blood parameters, disease incidence, BMI. Basic procedures. The research, conducted in the health care units, was based on the survey approved by the Bioethical Committee at the Jagiellonian University. The data of 896 women above the age of 40 were used in the research. Basic statistics were calculated and tests of significance of differences and correlation were applied. Main findings. There is no significant relationship between the level of physical activity, the type of work performed and the age of menopause. However, women performing white-collar work and practicing sports enter menopause last. In smokers the age of menopause lowered. Women using vegetarian diets and women with high BMI values go through menopause later. High BMI values and nicotine addiction are significantly related to the increased level of blood sugar, diabetes incidence and high blood pressure. The cholesterol level is significantly related to the age of the subjects. The percentage of increased cholesterol level is smaller in women practicing sports who have also significantly lower BMI values than those who do not go in for any sports. Conclusions. The analysis of health and aging indices confirms the highest correlation between BMI and the external factors. Moreover, regarding the specificity of hormonal changes during climacterium, overweight and obese women go through menopause later.