Effect of a Culturally Adapted Exercise Program on the Anthropometrics and Body Composition of Postmenopausal Women With Excess Weight Gain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Physical activity (PA) is recommended as a component of weight management for the prevention of weight gain and weight regain after weight loss. Yet, no study has adapted culturally appropriate PA for postmenopausal women's health. Aims: The study aimed to investigate the effect of a developed culturally appropriate exercise program for Ghanaian postmenopausal women with excess weight gain on the anthropometrics and body composition. Material and methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial in which participants randomly received a culturally-induced exercise program. A total of 226 Ghanaian postmenopausal women were randomized into exercise and control groups for 12 weeks. Anthropometrics (body mass index [BMI], waist-to-hip ratio [WHR], waist-to-height ratio [WHtR] waist circumference [WC], hip circumference [HC], and weight) and body composition (body fat, visceral fat, muscle mass) were determined pre-and post-intervention. Results: Average of 58.70 +/- 6.38 years (p > 0.05) with more than half (52.1%) above 58 years. Except for WHR, there were statistically significant differences in weight, BMI, WHtR, visceral fat, and total body fat in the exercise and control groups. Muscle mass increased significantly (+0.21 kg), whereas HC (-2.46 cm) and WC (-1.39 cm) decreased significantly compared with the control group. Within the exercise group, when stratified by BMI, there were higher reductions in BMI (1.01 kg/m(2) vs. 0.46 kg/m(2)), WC (2.18 cm vs. 0.22 cm), body weight (2.12 kg vs. 1.17 kg) and body fat (1.84% vs. 1.6%) in women with obesity compared with women with overweight. Conclusion: The promotion of Indigenous physical activity in postmenopausal women is beneficial. This has implications for health professionals who prescribe physical activity in postmenopausal women's treatment plans.