Could Coaching Aid Weight Loss in Menopause?
Lifestyle health coaching could aid with weight loss in women with menopause, but the effects likely vary by menopausal stage, according to a new study presented at the North American Menopause Society’s 2019 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.1
Weight loss can be an important intervention in menopause because women tend to experience an average weight gain of 4.6 lbs, predominantly as central abdominal fat, during this period. Previous research has shown that excess abdominal weight gain is most heavily associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), among other health consequences, and is therefore the most dangerous type of weight gain to one’s health.
In their study, the researchers evaluated participants aged 18 years or older who were receiving primary care at Miami Veterans Affairs’ Women’s Clinic and were enrolled in the clinic’s free Health Coaching Program. The program involved health coaching via phone and/or video conference by 1 coach for up to 4 months.
All participants were educated on setting and maintaining goals for healthy eating habits and increased physical activity levels. Body mass index (BMI), body composition, and waist circumference were measured at baseline and 1 follow-up visit. Results obtained by premenopausal participants were compared with those of peri- and postmenopausal participants.
Ultimately, the researchers found that peri- and postmenopausal women experienced similar decreases in BMI and lean mass compared with premenopausal women, but that decreases in waist circumference and percent body fat were smaller compared with premenopausal women. This observation is significant, the researchers wrote, as the CVD benefits of lifestyle change could be “blunted” without reduction in central obesity.
“Our results suggest that lifestyle coaching is worth pursuing, but that a longer, more aggressive, or differently tailored, program might be needed for women in peri/postmenopause to achieve maximum health benefits,” said lead study author Silvina Levis, MD, from the Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System and University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, in a press release.2
—Christina Vogt
References:
- Levis S, Soberanes O, Dahn J, Tang F, Palacio A. The impact of lifestyle health coaching on central obesity varies according to menopausal status. Paper presented at: North American Menopause Society Annual Meeting; September 25-28, 2019; Chicago, IL.
- Lifestyle coaching proves effective in decreasing body fat and waist size [press release]. Cleveland, OH. North American Menopause Society. September 24, 2019. Accessed September 24, 2019.