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The purpose of this study was to document, from a developmental perspective, midlife women's perceptions of their changing bodies within the larger cultural context, and to use ethnographic research as a tool for researching midlife women. The central question guiding the analysis of midlife women's lives was: What are midlife women's perceptions of their changing bodies? The self-reported experiences of 11 midlife women (ages 40–55) were obtained and the data analyzed using Spradley's (1979) Developmental Research Sequence Method. Data were collected by using individual and group interviews. During the individual interviews, three kinds of ethnographic questions (descriptive, structural, and contrast) were used to explore how each woman conceptualized her experiences. After the individual interviews were completed, three consecutive group interviews were conducted. The group interviews provided a context for determining the women's shared meaning of their changing bodies at this pivotal time of their development. To solidify the credibility of this qualitative study, the understandings derived from the study were subjected to member checking and the application of content analysis. Four general themes emerged from the analysis of the data. The first two themes—the media and medicine—involved aspects of the culture that most influenced the women's interpretations of their changing bodies and were, therefore, structural in nature. The second two themes—loss, and redefining of self (including the development of self-care)—involved the more personal aspects of the women's narratives such as reflected meanings and attitudes. Results of the study indicated that the midlife period in a woman's life encompasses a broad spectrum of experience, full of contradiction and change. Issues of loss, change in role functions, cultural influences that perpetuate ageism and sexism, ambivalence, strong emotional responses, lack of consistent information about menopause and sexuality, questioning, critical reflection, coping mechanisms, redefining self self-care—all played a central role in the women's lives during this important time of transition. Midlife events prompted the participants to question and challenge traditional cultural expectations about female roles and behavior; and in this way they reinterpreted their experiences and created new meaning from them. The women reformulated their self-definitions from that of caregiver to care receiver, from caring for others to caring more for oneself. This could be seen as a major developmental change in the women's lives, since through this process of facing the challenges of midlife, the women moved from self definitions that were based on negative cultural stereotypes to self definitions that were based on an affirmation of their ability to experience the events of their existence as autonomous individuals, less bound by stereotypes than they had been before. Health professionals can attempt to examine some of their own biases and assumptions about midlife women that could influence their treatment of, and attitudes towards, these women. Furthermore, health professionals are in the position to help their midlife clients question and become critically aware of the social, historical, and political context that defines women's midlife experience, so that midlife women need not take for granted the established interpretation of their physical changes. Suggestions for further research are included. / Graduate

The central thesis of this paper is that the social work profession needs to know much more about menopause and its concomitants in order to enhance diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, the woeful lack of research and consequent paucity of data on the subject require a heavy reliance upon intuitively plausible statements in support of larger propositions about many of the strategic relationships advanced in the course of the argument. When these propositions and statements are taken as a whole, the paper is also an outline of essential research topics.

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Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Canterbury, 2008. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-61). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Conclusion. We observed a small but independent effect of soy intake and lipid lowering effect, even after taking into account the other important predicting factors - initial cholesterol, body composition, physical activity, dietary intake and age. The beneficial effect between soy protein intake and lipid profile were observed even with this relatively low level of soy protein consumption suggests that the effect of soy protein supplement use on lipid profile may be much greater than those observed here. The results of our study add to the existing evidence that soy protein may be beneficial in human lipid profile. Our data will be useful for planning effective education programs as well as providing background information for further interventional studies to prevent coronary heart disease. / Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the major cause of death in most developed countries and is rapidly increasing in developing countries. Recent studies showed that natural menopause confers a threefold increase in CHD risk. While many risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and physical inactivity contribute to the risk for CHD, lipid abnormalities are the major factor. Hyperlipidemia plays a central role in the atherosclerotic process. Recent studies showed that consuming soy, a food containing large amounts of soy protein, improves the plasma lipoprotein profile by decreasing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides as well as increasing HDL level. Although soy is a main component of traditional Asian food, many of the studies on soy consumption have been conducted in Caucasian populations (table 1.2), among whom soy intake is rather low or almost nil, it was difficult to explore the association of soy protein intake and lipid profile in those populations. Soy products such as tofu and soymilk are traditional Chinese foods. With the changing dietary pattern, it gives rise to a range of intake from traditional to modern and increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease Hong Kong poses a unique opportunity for the investigation of the relation between soy protein intake and lipid profile. / For baseline age stratified subgroup analysis, our study results showed no association between soy protein intake and lipid pro file in women whose baseline age younger than 55.3 years old, but we did observe a positive association in women belonging to older subgroup. In the 12-month follow up analysis, for women whose baseline age was older than 55.3 years (mean age=58.4+/-2.1), after controlling for the potential confounders, soy protein intake was significantly associated with HDL cholesterol concentration (Linear Regression p=0.033, ANCOVA=0.011, P value for trend p=0.014), total cholesterol/HDL ratio (Linear Regression p=0.045) and LDL/HDL ratio (Linear Regression p=0.037). Similar observation was observed in the yearly change rate of HDL in 24-month follow up (Linear Regression p=0.047, P value for trend p=0.043). / For women whose initial cholesterol level was higher or equal to 200mg/dL, in our 2-year longitudinal analysis, after controlling for the potential confounders, soy protein intake was significantly associated with HDL (Linear Regression p=0.041) and cholesterol/HDL ratio (ANCOVA=0.022). We also observed a statistically significant trend for higher HDL cholesterol (p=0.038), with an increase of 11.4g in soy protein intake between the 1st and 3rd tertiles, our data showed a 3.8% increase in HDL. / In the 12-month longitudinal analyses, after controlling for the potential confounders, soy protein intake was significantly associated with HDL concentration (Linear Regression p=0.036). We also observed a statistically significant trend for higher HDL cholesterol (p=0.036), with an increase of 10.9g in soy protein intake between the 1st and 3rd tertiles, our data showed a 7.9% increase in HDL. / Methods. 307 women aged between 48 to 62 years were recruited from community subjects residing in housing estates in Shatin. Women within the first 12 years of menopause, with no history of malabsorption syndromes, chronic liver kidney diseases, parathyroid diseases, gastric operation or cancer and without currently taking lipid lowering therapy were included in the study. We estimated the dietary intake of soy foods and other key nutrients by using quantitative food frequency method. We recorded serum values of fasting cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides as well as other covariance measurement. Soy protein consumption was categorized as tertiles of intake and related to lipid profile. / Objectives. In order to study the relation between soy protein intake and lipid profile in the early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong, we conducted the study from February 2000 to February 2002, as a part of the population-based soy consumption and bone mineral density study. The hypothesis to be tested is that high intake of dietary soy protein has a beneficial effect on lipid profile in the early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong. / Results. In our cross-sectional analysis, our findings showed that habitual dietary soy protein intake had a weak but statistically significant correlation with triglyceride concentration (Linear Regression p=0.045, ANCOVA p=0.045 P value for trend p=0.023), and the soy protein beneficial effects were more pronounced in women whose % of total body fat were higher than 33.4%. After controlling for the potential confounders, soy protein intake was significantly associated with triglyceride concentration (Linear Regression p=0.048, P value for trend =0.021), the average decrease in triglycerides were 24.6% and 29.1 % in the 2nd and 3rd tertile compared with the 1st tertile respectively. / Lam Siu Hung. / "February 2006." / Adviser: Ho Suzanne Sutying. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6300. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-191). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Background and objective. Ultrasonic evaluation of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) has been widely used as a surrogate of atherosclerosis. Few studies have specifically examined risk factors related to subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) among early postmenopausal women, in particular in the Chinese population. There is also little information on the distribution of IMT in Asian midlife women. We described the prevalence of SA, as determined by IMT and carotid plaque, and the associated risk factors in early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong. / Conclusions. Our findings showed that age, SBP, HDL-C, and LDL-C were independent predictors of IMT, while age, LDL-C, and abdominal obesity were independent predictors of the presence of plaque. The optimal IMT cutoff of 0.783 mm was defined and that a prevalence of SA (IMT ≥ 0.783 mm) of 38.6% was found among 'healthy' early postmenopausal Chinese women in Hong Kong. / Methods. 518 women aged 50 to 64 years, and within 10 years since menopause were recruited from random telephone dialing. Women with surgical menopause, established cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and severe disease conditions such as cancer and renal failure were excluded. Sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle factors were obtained based on standardized questionnaires. Fasting blood sample was also obtained. B-mode ultrasound was used for measuring IMT at 12 sites of the carotid arteries and plague index, which is the sum of the grades (ranged from 0 to 3) at the 6 segments. The relations between traditional risk factors, and other potential risk factors such as inflammatory markers, as well as lifestyle factors including physical activity, dietary intake, and psychological factors with SA were also assessed. / Results. The mean IMT +/- SD was 0.76 +/- 0.12 mm, with a range from 0.53 to 1.00 mm. IMT was higher on the far wall than on the near wall (P<0.01), and differ among segments (greatest at the bulb and least at the ICA) (P<0.01). One-fifth of women had at least 1 plaque in the carotid artery with most of the plaque occurred in the bulb area. IMT increased with age, and was positively associated with carotid plaque. With the use of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the optimal cutoff IMT for diagnostic plaque was 0.783 mm, at which sensitivity and specificity was 80.5% and 75.1%, respectively. The prevalence of SA was 38.6%. Among the traditional risk factors, systolic blood pressure (SBP), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were associated with high IMT. Abdominal obesity assessed by waist circumference (WC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) was also found to be positively associated with IMT. Stepwise multiple regression showed that age, SBP, HDL-C, and LDL-C were independent predictors of IMT. Multiple logistic regression showed that women with LDL-C ≥ 130 mg/dL were associated with a 2.4-fold (95% CI 1.5-3.7) higher risk of having plaque compared to those with LDL-C < 130 mg/dL. In addition, women with abdominal obesity (WHR ≥ 0.85) had a 1.7-fold (95% CI 1.08-2.67) higher risk of having plaque than women with WHR < 0.85 after adjustment for age, and potential confounders including physical activity, dietary intakes etc. Significant inverse associations were observed between physical activity and indices of obesity, as well as fasting blood glucose, while psychological perceived stress and trait anxiety were independent risk factors for both total cholesterol and LDL-C. / Yu Ho-yan. / "February 2006." / Adviser: Suzanne C. Ho. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6350. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 220-256). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

This thesis project explores social constructions of aging women within Women’s Health magazine. There is limited scholarly literature on representations of aging women within popular health/fitness media, such as magazines. The limited current research which does exist suggests that aging women are subjected to negative stereotypes and gendered myths within our societal and cultural values with respect to aging (Vertinsky, 1994). Media representations are strong and pervasive reflections of societal norms and expectations and may impact the way women view themselves. I therefore undertook a Foucaultian discourse analysis of Women’s Health magazine to examine if/how gendered constructions of aging are functioning within representations of health directed to women of all ages. I found that Women’s Health reproduces aging women as useless, failures, problems to be managed, and other to normative femininity. Women’s Health reinforces that aging can and should be managed through the consumption of anti-aging products, procedures, and surgeries endorsed within the magazine. / v, 125 leaves ; 29 cm

Thesis (M.G.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Sociology and Gerontology, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 35-37).

Title: The energetic cost of middle aged women during zumba lesson measured by indirect calorimetric method Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess energy cost of the middle aged women during zumba exercise. Methods: A group of 6 women (age range 27-37 years) volunteered to participate in this study. To assess the maximal oxygen consumption, we used the running test to individual maximum. Each subject took part in six lessons of zumba in commercial fitness gym. Each subject was measured during 60 min long lesson. Results: The oxygen consumption of the whole zumba exercise was 19,5±2,2 ml.kg-1 .min-1 that is 68,4 % of the maximal oxygen consumption 40,1±7,4 ml.kg-1 .min-1 measured during running test. That exactly means a caloric expenditure 404,8 kcal (or 1692,2 kJ) during one lesson of zumba. The intensity of whole class reported by HR was covered by 67,5 % from HRmax and by Borg's rates of perceived exertion (6-20) with rates 14±2 from 18±2 immediately after the maximal running test. The highest energetic cost (336, 3 kcal, resp. 1405,9 kJ) was during the main part of the lesson. Zumba can be classified as moderately challenging type of exercise, which is good for fat burning; this statement is based on values of the heart rate measured during lessons of zumba. Key words: zumba, energetic...