Self-reported hunger predicted weight change in postmenopausal women

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Tuesday, June 27, 2006 3:11 am Email this article
Unintentional weight gain or weight loss in postmenopausal women was predicted by how hungry women said they felt according to a new study from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. Weight change was not predicted by the amount of dietary restraint or physical activity that the women reported. Conclusion: Self-reported hunger can identify women at risk for weight gain or loss

“The Eating Inventory questionnaire may provide a clinically useful tool for identifying older individuals at risk of undesirable weight change, and particularly unintentional weight loss, a factor strongly associated with increased morbidity and premature death in this population,” the authors concluded.

Subjects: 36 nonobese postmenopausal women questioned 4.4 year apart

The study involved 36 nonobese postmenopausal women who on average were 61-years-old who were questioned 4.4 years apart.

Weight change: -16 lbs to +13 lbs

Weight change ranged from a weight loss of 16.5 pounds to a weight gain of 12.8 pounds.

Comment: In older people, weight loss, not weight gain is associated with increase risk

Comment: Studies have found that when we get older, weight loss is associated with an increase in risk of death, but moderate weight gain has little effect on the risk of death.

REFERENCE

Hays N, Bathalon G, Roubenoff R, Mccrory M, Roberts S. Eating behavior and weight change in healthy postmenopausal women: Results of a 4-year longitudinal study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2006 Jun, 61(6):608-15.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Susan Roberts
Energy Metabolism Laboratory
Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Tufts University
711 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02111
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