Food habits, socioeconomic status and body mass index among premenopausal and post‐menopausal women in Mauritius

Abstract

Background: Although many health disparities arise as a result of socioeconomic inequalities, less is known about the diet quality of women after menopause. The present study aimed to determine the factors affecting food habits and body mass index (BMI) among premenopausal and post-menopausal Mauritian working women. Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey in different workplaces located in the nine districts of Mauritius. Mauritian women (n = 400; 215 premenopausal, 185 post-menopausal) were recruited using stratified random sampling. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire comprising a food frequency questionnaire previously constructed and used to address dietary guidelines that assess the intake of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, cereals, high-and low-fat protein sources, fats and sweetened beverages, as well as questions aiming to elicit socioeconomic profile, menopausal status, physical activity level and demographic data. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured. An independent sample t-test, chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance were used for the statistical analyses. Results: The mean dietary guideline score was significantly higher for postmenopausal than premenopausal women, (P = 0.017). Each socioeconomic status (SES) category of post-menopausal women also demonstrated a higher dietary guideline score than that of premenopausal women (P > 0.05). A high BMI was significantly associated with a low SES of participants (P = 0.042) and post-menopausal stage (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Low SES and post-menopausal stage are risk factors for obesity among female workers in Mauritius. Although post-menopausal women ate a better diet, their mean BMI was higher than that of premenopausal women.

Is a Nutrition Education Intervention Associated with a Higher Intake of Fruit and Vegetables and Improved Nutritional Knowledge among Housewives in Mauritius?

“…Monteiro et al [50] reported that income level tends to be a risk factor for obesity while education may be protective as a higher level of income means a greater affordability for energy dense foods. However, in this study, a higher level of income was found to be related to a lower BMI which corroborates findings of Fokeena and Jeewon [51] and Bhurosy and Jeewon [52] where participants in high a socio-economic status (SES) group had lower BMI than those in a low SES group. Similarly, nutrition knowledge, positive nutrition attitude and greater fruit and vegetable intake were related to a lower BMI.…”

Obesity in Adult Women: Home-based Cross-sectional Study

“…Menopause, characterized by the end of female reproductive function, is presented as a factor that can contribute to weight gain. The aforementioned study in the Republic of Mauritius evidenced that being postmenopausal constituted a risk factor for obesity, compared to women in the pre-menopause period (18) .…”

“…A study conducted in the Republic of Mauritius showed that low socioeconomic status was a risk factor for obesity among the surveyed women (18) . In developed countries, obesity tends to be more prevalent among those with low incomes than those with high incomes.…”

Diversity in Quality of Life, Body Mass Index, and Mobility in Rural and Urban Postmenopausal Women

“…16 The level of physical activities and the nutritional and dietary habits also affects the symptoms seen in the women. 17 The age of menopause is affected by biological symptoms like genetic, nutritional, and reproductive history; sociocultural symptoms like educational status, occupational status, mobility rural urban residence; and lifestyle like smoking habits and dietary habits. 18 There are better infrastructures and facilities available in urban areas than in rural areas.…”