Impact of Consumption of Olive and Argane Oils on Anthropometric Profile of Postmenopausal Women in Morocco

Abstract

Abstract:Worldwide, large studies have shown that the menopause is mainly associated with substantial changes in body composition that result in an increase in waist circumference, fat accumulation and specially weight gain. This overweight could be exacerbated by fat intake. Thus, this study was planned to evaluate the impact of the consumption of olive and argane oils on anthropometric profile and body composition of postmenopausal women. The nutritional intervention was conducted over a period of eight weeks, involving daily consumption of 25 mL of argane oil or olive oil in 151 postmenopausal women (55.49 ± 6.18 years old). The anthropometric profile (weight, height and body mass index (BMI)) and body composition (fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM)) were determined at 0 week (baseline), and after the 4th and 8th weeks of nutritional intervention. Results clearly demonstrated that argane oil or olive oil consumption did not affect the anthropometric parameters and the body composition of postmenopausal women. Thus, argane and/or olive oils' regular diet does not lead to weight gain, and postmenopausal women could benefit from their impact on health for a better quality of life and to overcome all menopause associated problems. A longer period of nutritional intervention is required to confirm the trend down that was recorded.