Abstract
Midlife women commonly experience changes in cardiometabolic, physical, and psychosocial health because of menopause. Importantly, these health changes can negatively affect the overall quality of life. Specifically, women experience changes in metabolism and weight gain (particularly abdominal fat), bothersome vasomotor symptoms (i.e., hot flashes and night sweats), sleep disturbances, mood swings, and reduced bone health. Women may also experience social isolation, loneliness, and changes in gastrointestinal health, which can further reduce their quality of life. In this chapter, we summarize these important health changes and discuss various dietary and lifestyle considerations that healthcare professionals can employ to help their patients throughout menopause and beyond.
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Suggested Further Readings
2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: https://health.gov/our-work/food-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/guidelines/table-of-contents/.
Curry SJ, Krist AH, Owens DK, Barry MJ, Caughey AB, Davidson KW, et al. Screening for osteoporosis to prevent fractures: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. J Am Med Assoc. 2018;319:2521–31. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/osteoporosis-screening
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Jensen MD, Ryan DH, Apovian CM, Ard JD, Comuzzie AG, Donato KA, et al. 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in adults: A report of the American college of cardiology/American heart association task force on practice guidelines and the obesity society. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;63(25 PART B):2985–3023. Available from: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.cir.0000437739.71477.ee
Shifren JL, Gass MLS, Kagan R, Kaunitz AM, Liu JH, Manson JE, et al. The North American Menopause Society recommendations for clinical care of midlife women. Menopause [Internet]. 2014;21(10):1038–62. Available from: http://www.menopause.org/publications/clinical-care-recommendations
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Marlatt, K.L., Gilmore, L.A., Flanagan, E.W., Redman, L.M. (2022). Dietary Considerations for Postmenopausal Women. In: Wilson, T., Temple, N.J., Bray, G.A. (eds) Nutrition Guide for Physicians and Related Healthcare Professions. Nutrition and Health. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82515-7_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82515-7_8
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