- 2022-09-02
- Current obesity reports 11(4)
- Ludovica Verde
- Luigi Barrea
- Claudia Vetrani
- Evelyn Frias-Toral
- Sebastián Pablo Chapela
- Ranil Jayawardena
- Giulia de Alteriis
- Annamaria Docimo
- Silvia Savastano
- Annamaria Colao
- Giovanna Muscogiuri
Study Design
- Type
- Review
- Population
- postmenopausal women with obesity
Purpose of review
This review primarily provides an overview of the current evidence on chronotype (which reflects an individual's preference for the timing of sleeping, eating, and activity in a 24-h period) and sleep quality changes in obesity in postmenopausal women. It also explores possible nutritional strategies to manage these changes in this phase of a woman's life.Recent findings
Menopause is a life stage frequently associated with sleep disturbances and changes in circadian rhythms. Sleep disturbances are one of the main symptoms of menopause and are caused by several factors such as hormonal changes, obesity, and melatonin reduction. In addition, the chronotype also changes following menopause. Nutritional strategies are essential because they could help manage menopausal sleep disturbances and circadian misalignment, particularly by tackling obesity and overweight. In the management of postmenopausal women, especially those experiencing obesity, careful assessment of sleep disturbances and chronotype and subsequent development of the most appropriate treatment, including nutritional management, should be part of the treatment routine.