Nutrition and health patterns in midlife women

The middle years for women present many challenges and opportunities. The changes of life--physical, psychosocial, developmental, and environmental--can be rewarding, positive experiences. At the same time, as women enter the middle years, they may face a number of health problems. Preparation for health maintenance, illness prevention, and coping with problems as they occur can prevent many of the potential health alterations through life style changes. Even when these health problems are unpreventable, modification of behaviors and habits may ameliorate some of their consequences. The nurse is the logical person to educate and counsel women on how to lower their risks for midlife health problems. An overview of the health status of women at midlife is presented, including current life expectancy, mortality, and morbidity data. Risk factors and risk assessment specific to diseases prevalent in midlife and older women are reviewed, with emphasis on nutrition and obesity. Nursing strategies for reducing the risk factors (obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and sedentary life style) related to many of the health concerns of midlife women are presented.