MENOPAUSE AND NUTRITION AMONG THE WOMEN IN AGOGO – ASANTE AKIM, NORTH DISTRICT

 ABSTRACT 

The aim of the study was to find out the awareness of menopausal symptoms, food preferences, nutrition related health statuses and strategies to ensure effective diet management by menopausal women in Agogo, Asante- Akim North District. The study was a cross sectional survey using descriptive research methods. One hundred and twenty (120) women between the ages 40 and 60 years were selected by convenience, purposive and by snowballing methods to select the site, area and respondents. Instruments used to collect data were questionnaire, interview and observation checklist. Data was analysed descriptively with (SPSS) version 16.0.  The study revealed that the menopausal age for women in Agogo was between the ages of 46 to 55years. The average age was 51years and 5months.  Awareness of menopausal symptoms was very high and the sources of information were through adult children, parents, friends and relations.  The diets of the respondents were diversified as they frequently consumed food items from all the six food groups. Major nutrition – related health problems experienced by respondents were arthritis, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. It was found that exercise was important for the health of the respondents but the duration of the exercise among the respondents was short so it is important to encourage extended periods of exercise. Strategies recommended to ensure healthy menopause included intensive education and counselling on menopausal symptoms, management, good nutrition, adequate rest as well as awareness creation and moral support from the community. Menopausal women should be encouraged to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and pulses in their diet to boost their phyto- oestrogen level. Menopausal women should perform exercise regularly in the form of walking, jogging, skipping, dancing, and playing tennis or any weight-bearing exercises but the duration of the exercises should be extended beyond the present level to make their bones and muscles stronger to prevent cardiovascular diseases. There should be workshops and seminars for leaders in the churches by Home Economists and Dieticians to educate the menopausal women on the symptoms of menopause and the right diet to eat to remedy or reduce the impact of menopausal symptoms.