Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary intakes in middle-aged women (pre and postmenopausal) and relation to climacteric symptoms. We conducted the anthropometric measurements, climacteric symptoms survey, and dietary intake to assess the nutrient intakes. Also, dietary quality indices were evaluated. The subjects, over 40 years old, were 168 middle aged women ( pre = 74, postmenopausal = 94), mean age was 48.9 +/- 3.6yr. The anthropometric measurements showed that 59% of subjects were overweight and obese. Climacteric symptoms that were answered "yes" in 50% plus in the subjects, were dry eyes, forgetfulness, difficult concentration, large joint pain (shoulder), fatique, backache, dry skin, joint pain (ankle and knee), dry mouth, dizziness, depression and lonesomeness, snore, morning stiffness, and hot flash. Some symptoms showed significant difference between pre and postmenopausal groups. The average energy intake was 1602.1 Kcal, which was 82% of the Korean EER. The subjects had lower vitamin A, riboflavin, folic acid, Fe, Zn and Ca intake than Korean RI. The lowest nutrient intake was Ca. The mean of food intake was 1294.2 g and MAR of diet quality indices was 0.83. In relation to dietary factors with climacteric symptoms, significant correlations have been found between total protein, animal protein, lipid, cholesterol and niacin intake and "fatique", energy, carbohydrate, thiamin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin C, Na, K and Fe intake and "dry skin", Ca intake and "difficult concentration". Our results indicate that dietary factors (food and nutrients intake, INQ, NAR, MAR) may effect the prevention and reduction of some climacteric symptoms in middle aged women.

• Keywords: food and nutrients intake; diet quality; climacteric symptoms; middle-aged women