The purpose of this research was to examine some of
the factors which may affect body composition of
postmenopausal women. The effect of estrogen, physical
activity, diet and lifestyle were examined in 9 women
receiving estrogen replacement therapy and 11 women not
using this drug. For 3 consecutive days, the subjects
collected 24-hour urine samples and recorded their
dietary intake. Body fat was estimated by obesity
indices based on height and weight and a regression
equation based on abdominal skinfold, abdominal
circumference and bideltoid diameter (Young, 1964). Lean
body mass (LBM) was estimated from urinary excretion of
creatinine (Forbes & Bruining, 1976). Physical activity
and lifestyle were assessed by a self-administered
questionnaire. Age, height, physical activity, diet and lifestyle were similar for the two groups. Estrogen
users were heavier than non-users (p < 0.05) and as a
group had a higher prevalence of obesity. Percent body
fat and LBM also tended to be higher in the estrogen
users than in the non-estrogen users. The weight
difference between the two groups was already present at
age 25 years and persisted through the subsequent 30-year
period. All 20 subjects maintained their weight between
ages 25 and 35 years, thereafter, increasing in weight
significantly (p < 0.05) by decade through age 55 years.
For all 20 subjects no correlation was found between
energy intake and any measure of obesity or body
fatness. Obesity was unrelated to energy consumption.
Physical activity did not correlate significantly with
any estimate of body composition. Energy intake showed
an inverse correlation with hours spent watching
television (r = -0.82, p < 0.002). Nutrient intake for
most women was adequate; however, calcium intake in women
not receiving estrogen replacement therapy may be
insufficient. / Graduation date: 1987
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/27102 |
| Date | 22 September 1986 |
| Creators | Worley, Susan E. |
| Contributors | Miller, Lorraine T. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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