Impact of Eating Behaviors and Physical Activity on Women’s Health during Menopause
Recent research conducted by the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä has revealed critical insights into how women’s eating habits and physical activity levels influence body fat distribution and inflammation. The study highlights that women who experience disordered eating patterns and engage in low levels of physical activity are more likely to have increased central body fat, leading to a heightened risk of low-grade metabolic inflammation. This condition is particularly concerning as it raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially after menopause.
Body Fat Distribution Changes during Menopause
As women approach menopause and estrogen levels decline, there’s a noticeable shift in body fat distribution. Fat that typically accumulates in the hips and thighs transitions to the abdominal area, where it becomes detrimental visceral fat. This shift contributes to greater risks of low-grade inflammation and cardiovascular health issues, which are known to escalate after menopause.
Link Between Health Behaviors and Low-Grade Inflammation
A study by the University of Jyväskylä explored the associations between health behaviors—such as sleep patterns, dietary intake, and physical activity—and low-grade inflammation. It specifically noted that disordered eating behavior may manifest as restrictive eating aimed at weight or shape control, often coupled with misconceptions about nutritional choices and body image.
As supported by prior studies, a higher accumulation of visceral fat corresponds with increased levels of low-grade inflammation. This type of fat releases cytokines that exacerbate inflammation, consequently elevating the risk of metabolic conditions.
Hannamari Lankila, Doctoral Researcher, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä
Findings on Physical Activity and Eating Behavior
The research demonstrated that individuals with disordered eating habits and lower physical activity levels showed an increased amount of visceral fat, correlating to higher inflammation risks. Interestingly, when analyzing eating behaviors alongside physical activity, it was found that greater physical activity levels were linked to reduced visceral fat, particularly in women without disordered eating tendencies.
However, Lankila noted that the protective effect of high exercise levels diminished when individuals struggled with eating-related challenges. Surprisingly, sleep quality and duration did not appear to significantly impact these outcomes.
The Importance of Comprehensive Health Behavior Analysis
Previous research has established some connection between exercise and dietary patterns with low-grade inflammation. Still, this study is significant as it looks at the comprehensive effects of these health behaviors during menopause—a crucial life stage, as women spend over a third of their lives post-menopause, facing heightened risks for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
Conclusions on Managing Visceral Fat
The findings underscored the relationship between visceral fat and inflammation, especially pronounced in women with lower physical activity levels. Both exercise and flexible eating behaviors can contribute to reducing visceral fat, and the combined approach is likely to yield more effective results.
“It’s essential to recognize that even after menopause, women can still mitigate the accumulation of harmful visceral fat, thereby preventing potential metabolic and cardiovascular diseases,” Lankila emphasized.
Research Methodology
The study also took into account sleep duration and perceived sleep quality alongside physical activity, using self-reported questionnaires. Eating behavior was assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), comprising 28 questions to evaluate restrictive eating tendencies and concerns about diet, body weight, and image. Additionally, factors such as age, income level, and use of menopausal hormone therapy were considered in the analysis.
Part of a Larger Study
This research is part of the EsmiRs study (Estrogen, microRNAs, and the risk of metabolic dysfunctions), which was conducted between 2018 and 2022 at the Gerontology Research Center (GEREC) at the University of Jyväskylä. The study focused on women aged 51 to 59 residing in Central Finland and was supported by the Academy of Finland and the Juho Vainio Foundation.
Source:
University of Jyväskylä
Journal reference:
Lankila, H., et al. (2025). A mediating role of visceral adipose tissue on the association of health behaviours and metabolic inflammation in menopause: a population-based cross-sectional study. Scientific Reports. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85134-8.
