[Nutritional evaluation in Mexican postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome]

The posmenopausal women has higher cardiovascular risks, since their concentrations of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triacilglycerides and lipoproteins are bigger, while their HDL-cholesterol decreases; this factors increases the risk of suffering metabolic syndrome.

To describe the nutritional status and cardiovascular risk of Mexican posmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

In a cross-sectional study, we assessed the nutritional status and cardiovascular risk factors of Mexican women (n = 93) with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The three most frequent met criteria for metabolic syndrome were abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-cholesterol levels. Without considering abdominal obesity, the most common alterations during initial assessment were high LDL cholesterol levels, low HDL cholesterol levels and hypertriglyceridemia. Women with a body mass index up to 35 did not appear to have higher values than overweight and obese grade I women. We did not find differences in metabolic variables among older women or in those using hormone therapy. A high carbohydrate and saturated fat intake was observed, as well as high fat dairy and frequent non healthy cooking methods. On the other hand, intake of fruits, vegetables, and high fiber carbohydrates was low. Average physical activity was reported to be only 30 minutes a week.

The observed dietary pattern in these women, and their inactivity level could be exacerbating their cardiovascular risk factors. The promotion of a cardioprotective dietary pattern in these women is essential and urgent.