Abbas Saremi; Rahmatollah Moradzadeh
Abstract
Background: Inadequate lifestyle choices, such as insufficient physical activity, may be linked to adverse fertility outcomes. Given the profound influence of lifestyle on women’s reproductive health, this study was undertaken to compare the levels of physical activity and body composition among ...
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Background: Inadequate lifestyle choices, such as insufficient physical activity, may be linked to adverse fertility outcomes. Given the profound influence of lifestyle on women’s reproductive health, this study was undertaken to compare the levels of physical activity and body composition among fertile and infertile Iranian women in 2022.Methods: This cross-sectional study encompassed 653 fertile women (mean age: 32.58±5.99 years, mean body mass index (BMI): 25.7±3.64 kg/m²) and infertile women (mean age: 32.59±5.38 years, mean BMI: 26.4±5.6 kg/m²) who sought assistance at infertility centers in six provinces (Guilan, Markazi, Hamedan, Sistan, and Baluchestan, Isfahan, and Khuzestan) during the research period spanning 2021 to 2022. Participants completed questionnaires regarding their lifestyle habits and physical activity levels, body composition was also assessed. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression tests were employed for data analysis.Results: Fertile women exhibited superior physical activity (P=0.04) and a lower BMI (P=0.001) than their infertile counterparts. Women with a high level of physical activity (OR=4.42, P=0.004) were more likely to experience infertility. Inactive women who spent more than 300 minutes per day sitting were 2.07 times more susceptible to fertility complications than their physically active peers (moderate activity) (OR=2.07, P=0.001).Conclusion: Given the simultaneous increase in obesity, inactivity, and infertility among Iranian women, it is imperative to place greater emphasis on lifestyle habits, including appropriate physical activity, to prevent and potentially treat infertility.
Arezu Farzaneh; Maryam Koushkie Jahromi; Mohsen Salesi; Robabeh Rostami
Abstract
Background: Menopausal symptoms severely affect a woman’s lifestyle and health. Lifestyle, including physical activity, is known to be an effective factor on the menopausal-associated symptoms. We conducted the present study to evaluate the effects of an eight-week Pilates training on menopausal-related ...
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Background: Menopausal symptoms severely affect a woman’s lifestyle and health. Lifestyle, including physical activity, is known to be an effective factor on the menopausal-associated symptoms. We conducted the present study to evaluate the effects of an eight-week Pilates training on menopausal-related symptoms, including somatic, psychological and sexual symptoms, body mass index (BMI), and anxiety as possible effective factors on menopausal symptoms. Methods: This was an experimental study conducted in the summer of 2020. The participants in this study were 27 postmenopausal women (aged 60-65, BMI: 24-30) who participated in the study voluntarily. They were randomly divided into two groups of control (n=12) and exercise (n=15). The subjects in the training group participated in Pilates training for eight weeks, three sessions per week and each session lasted 75 minutes with progressive intensity. BMI was measured and the participants completed anxiety and depression questionnaires (HADS) and menopausal symptoms rating scale (MRS) before and after the exercises. We utilized paired t-test and analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) to analyze the data. Results: BMI (P=0.023), anxiety (p <0.001), physical score (p <0.001), psychological score (P=0.001), and the total (p <0.001) score of menopausal symptoms reduced significantly following Pilates training compared to the control group. No significant changes were observed in the sexual symptoms of menopause following Pilates training compared to the control group (P=0.60). Conclusion: An eight-week Pilates training reduced most of the postmenopausal symptoms (somatic, psychological, and total) as well as potentially aggravating menopausal symptoms, including anxiety and BMI
Abbas Saremi; Alireza Bahrami; Mohammad Parastesh; Mina Ranjbar
Abstract
Background: Identification of body mass and physical activity status in women may be helpful for improving their reproductive health. The purpose of the current research was to analyze and compare the body mass index (BMI) and physical activity level (PAL) among women with and without infertility. Methods: ...
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Background: Identification of body mass and physical activity status in women may be helpful for improving their reproductive health. The purpose of the current research was to analyze and compare the body mass index (BMI) and physical activity level (PAL) among women with and without infertility. Methods: This descriptive-analytical research was conducted on 150 infertile women who referred to therapeutic centers of Shahrekord to treat infertility and 150 fertile women using filed study method. Physical activity questionnaire was then filled in by these women. The height and weight were measured using Seca stadiometer and digital scale based on standard methods, and then, BMI was calculated and the values were compared. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze data and the significance level was considered p <0.05. Results: The physical activity score of infertile women was estimated to be low in this study that indicates sporting inactivity or very low PAL in subjects. The overall prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in infertile subjects were 8.7%, 26.7%, 34.7%, and 30%, respectively. The frequency of overweight and obesity was reported to be significantly higher in these subjects. The physical activity score of fertile women was estimated to be medium, and the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity in fertile subjects were 29.8%, 40.4%, 17.2%, and 11.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Results from the study emphasize the importance of body composition and creation of interest among women to do exercise and gain normal weight and keep it off to achieve healthy fertility
Ensieh Shahrjooye Haghighi; Maryam Koushkie Jahromi
Abstract
Background : Different body composition indices may indicate various physiological statuses. Objectives : The current study aimed at investigating the correlation between body composition indices (body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), and abdominal fat) as well as physical and psychological ...
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Background : Different body composition indices may indicate various physiological statuses. Objectives : The current study aimed at investigating the correlation between body composition indices (body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), and abdominal fat) as well as physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods : The current cross sectional study was conducted on 60 voluntary female students of Shiraz University (age: 18 - 25 years) in December 2016. Inclusion criteria were regular menstrual cycles, being single, no pregnancy, and no history of thyroid disease, polycystic ovaries, cancer, diabetes, and diagnosed psychiatric complications. Subjects completed Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Weight and height of subjects were recorded to calculate BMI, BFP and abdominal fat were calculated using the body composition analyzer. The Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results : The results of the current study revealed significant and positive correlation between BMI and physical symptoms of PMS (P = 0.045), BMI and psychological symptoms (P = 0.024), BFP and physical symptoms (P = 0.019), BFP and psychological symptoms (P = 0.023), abdominal fat and physical symptoms (P = 0.017), and abdominal fat and psychological symptoms of PMS (P = 0.049). Conclusions : The higher level of body composition indices were related to higher PMS symptoms and abdominal fat was the most important predictor for PMS symptoms.
Seyed Hojjat Zamani Sani; Mahta Eskandarnejad; Zahra Fathirezaie
Abstract
Background: Body image is an important factor in women’s lives.
Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to explore the association among body image, perceived physical fitness and its subscales, physical activity, body mass index and age in women.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional ...
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Background: Body image is an important factor in women’s lives.
Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to explore the association among body image, perceived physical fitness and its subscales, physical activity, body mass index and age in women.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 82 women from University of Tabriz staff and masters. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Individual characteristics, physical activity rate, body image and perceived physical fitness questionnaires were completed. Data were analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression.
Results: The results of the study indicated a significant linear association of body image with body mass index (r = 0.769, P = 0.0001), body composition (r = 0.587, P = 0.0001), and aerobic endurance (r = - 0.229, P = 0.038). In addition, there was no significant linear relationship between physical activity and other variables, except for flexibility (r = 0.258, P = 0.019) and age (r = 0.418, P = 0.0001). Regression analysis showed that physical self-perception, aerobic endurance, body composition, muscular strength, flexibility, and body mass index could predict 64% of the variance of body image.
Conclusions: Physical self-perception and its factors along with body mass index are important to build up body image. Some interpretations and limitations about physical activity motives and measurements were also cited.
Sayyede Marzieh Ketabipoor; Maryam Koushkie Jahromi
Abstract
Background: Menopause is associated with increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease, and different exercise regimens can variously affect different cardiovascular risk factors.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an aerobic exercise in water on serum estrogen, C-reactive ...
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Background: Menopause is associated with increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease, and different exercise regimens can variously affect different cardiovascular risk factors.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an aerobic exercise in water on serum estrogen, C-reactive protein (CRP) and body mass index (BMI) levels in obese and normal weight postmenopausal women.
Patients and Methods: This quasi-experimental study comprised 29 volunteer non-athletic postmenopausal women with mean age 57.04 ± 4.68 years. The study subjects were divided into two groups of obese (n = 15; BMI = 30.21 ± 3.89) and normal weight (n = 14; BMI = 22.43 ± 2.45) according to their BMI. The subjects of both groups participated in aquatic exercise training for 8 weeks, 3 sessions a week, with progressive intensity of 50 to 70 percent of maximum heart rate for 45 minutes between 10-11 am. The blood samples were taken the day before and two days after the exercise sessions through the left brachial vein. Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Mann-Whitney test were used for data analysis.
Results: In the obese and normal weight groups exercise caused significant increase in estrogen (P=0.001, P = 0.001, respectively) and decreased the BMI (P = 0.009, P = 0.003, respectively); however, CRP decreased significantly when compared to pre exercise in the normal weight group (P = 0.005), No statistically significant change was observed in the obese group (P = 0.084). There was no significant difference in estrogen (P = 0.32), BMI (P = 0.62) and CRP (P = 0.35) changes following exercise between obese and normal weight groups.
Conclusions: In the present study, aquatic aerobic exercise caused similar reduction in some cardiovascular risk factors among obese and normal weight postmenopausal women. However, future studies are recommended for more clarification.
Shiva Faghih; Razieh Mohebpour; Leila Eskandari
Abstract
Background: It is suggested that the type and frequency of snacks as well as dairy consumption can influence body weight and composition.
Objectives: This study attempts to assess the correlation of BMI and waist circumference with snacking pattern and dairy consumption among female university students.
Materials ...
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Background: It is suggested that the type and frequency of snacks as well as dairy consumption can influence body weight and composition.
Objectives: This study attempts to assess the correlation of BMI and waist circumference with snacking pattern and dairy consumption among female university students.
Materials and Methods: We randomly selected 112 female students who were residents of Shiraz University dormitories as participants in this cross-sectional study. Weight, height and waist circumference of the participants were measured. Demographic and food frequency questionnaires were completed in face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.
Results: The results showed that 17% of participants were underweight, 74.1% were normal weight and 8.9% were overweight. Among participants, 95.5% had a normal waist circumference whereas the waist circumference in 4.5% was above normal. There were 63.3% of female students who consumed just one snack per day. Confectionaries (84.1%) were the most popular snacks. Mean ± SD dairy consumption was 1.78 ± 1.20 servings per day. There were no correlations between body mass index and waist circumference with snacking pattern or dairy intake.
Conclusions: The majority of our subjects had normal weight and waist circumference, thus we did not find any correlation between body mass index and waist circumference to snacking pattern or dairy intake. Similar studies should be conducted that enroll both overweight and normal weight subjects.
