Evaluation of Factors Influencing Engagement in Physical Activity in Women during the Transition to Menopause

Abstract

Objective: To explore the informational and behavioural factors, that affect women’s participation in physical activity (PA) and body weight changes during perimenopause.

Methods: An environmental scan of online health websites to determine availability and quality of information for women about body weight changes during transition to menopause. An interpretive descriptive qualitative study of women age 40 – 60 to explore factors influencing their PA. Descriptive and inductive qualitative analysis were used.

Results: Six of 52 websites (11.5%) contained information specific to perimenopausal women, with one site citing evidence. For 26 women interviewed, the most common enabling factors were daily structure, positive feelings, and accountability; while common barriers were disruptions in daily structure, competing demands, and self - sacrifice.

Conclusions: There is a lack of information regarding body weight changes for perimenopausal women. Perimenopausal women attribute their PA participation to psychosocial factors, and not the physiology of menopause.