Overview
Project status: In progress
From this study, we have learned the importance of women realizing that there are other ways (with or without hormone replacement therapy) to control menopausal symptoms and prevent heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Research has revealed that some definite lifestyle behaviours can have positive effects on menopausal and post-menopausal symptoms as well as reducing the risks of chronic disease. This study was developed because the research team felt there is a need for health promotion programs to specifically target women in midlife to not only minimize their menopausal symptoms and risks for chronic disease, but also maximize the quality of their life into the future.
Results of the Midlife Women's Wellness Program found that the program was effective in improving women's exercise activity and decreasing smoking. Physical outcome measures also supported the effectiveness of the program, with significant decreases seen in the women's waist-hip ratios, body mass index and blood pressure. This result was also found to be sustained 5 years later in a follow up study. This shows that the women's wellness program was effective in permanently changing health behavior.
- Grantor
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QUT - Early Career Research Grant
- Research leader
- Organisational unit
- Lead unit Faculty of Health Other units
- Research area
- Chronic Disease, Supportive and Palliative Care
Professor Debra Anderson
