Abstract

Background: Hormone changes and aging that lead to menopause have a significant impact on quality of life. Understanding health thresholds for the components of body composition in this population are not well known. The relationship between menopausal symptoms and lifestyle factors is understudied. Methods: A mixed-methods approach included surveys and face-to-face body composition analysis using bioelectric impedance. Eating competence, sleep quality, and physical activity were assessed online with validated surveys prior to body composition measurement. Data were transformed to normality and analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficients and independent t-test correcting for multiple comparisons. Results Of the 69 interested people, 50 were eligible and consented; 45 completed all surveys and 42 did body composition assessment. Most were eating competent (63%), physically active (56%) and had poor sleep (76%). Mean age was 63.5 ±7.5.  More than half (57%) were overweight or obese. Mean body fat was 35.5 ± 7.1%.  Eating competence was significantly related to lower BMI (r= -.0.31, P=0.03) and compared to non-eating competent women (n=17), those who were eating competent (n=33) were more physical activity (3465.5 ± 2916.6 vs1267.0 ± 893.5 MET minutes; t= -3.9, P< 0.001). More physically active women tended to have lower body fat% and lower visceral fat area. Physical activity was not related to the ratio of extracellular water: total body water (ECW:TBW) ratio, BMI, fat-free mass, and visceral fat area.  Those with better sleep quality had significantly lower body weights (r=0.31, P=0.047), less fat free mass (r=0.33, P=0.03) and less body water (r=0.33, P=0.03). Those with better sleep quality tended to have lower BMI (r=0.28, P=0.08). Sleep quality was not related to ECW:TBW or visceral fat area. Being physically active was not significantly associated with body metrics. Conclusion The relationship between body composition and lifestyle behaviors was addressed in a small sample of postmenopausal women. Few relationships were found, suggesting a need for larger, more diverse samples to adequately describe how body composition relates to their sleep, physical activity and eating behavior.

Publication Date

4-22-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Dietetics and Nutrition (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition

College

College of Health Sciences and Technology

Advisor

Barbara Lohse

Advisor/Committee Member

Elizabeth Ruder

Advisor/Committee Member

Stephen Van Lew

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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