Menopausal Symptoms, Anthropometric Indices, and Carbohydrate Quality Index in Perimenopausal Women Aged Between 40-50 Years.

Background: Perimenopause is a transitional phase marked by hormonal fluctuations that can significantly impact a woman's physical and emotional well-being. Emerging evidence suggests that diet quality, particularly carbohydrate intake, may influence the severity of menopausal symptoms. However, limited research exists on the association between carbohydrate quality and menopausal symptom severity in perimenopausal women. Aim: This study aimed to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms, anthropometric indices, and Carbohydrate Quality Index in perimenopausal women aged between 40 and 50 years. Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted among 100 purposively sampled perimenopausal women in Mumbai, India. Data were collected using validated tools, including the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms, the Food Cravings Questionnaire–State (FCQ–S), a 24-hour dietary recall, and a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). CQI was computed using fiber intake, dietary glycemic index, and the ratio of solid to total carbohydrate intake. Anthropometric assessments included BMI, waist, and hip circumferences. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation. Results: In this study, the most frequently reported menopausal symptoms were hot flashes (84%), irregular menstruation (80%), and irritability (76%). The mean BMI was 28.35 ± 4.49 kg/m², and the mean waist-to-hip ratio was 0.90, indicating a high prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity. More severe menopausal symptoms were associated with higher weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. A significant negative correlation was observed between CQI and MRS scores (r = –0.227, p < 0.05), while food cravings were positively correlated with MRS scores (r = 0.384, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The positive associations of anthropometric measurements and food cravings, and the negative association of CQI, with the severity of menopausal symptoms observed in the study suggest that individualized dietary strategies—focusing on improving carbohydrate quality and managing weight—can be an effective nonpharmacological approach to alleviating menopausal symptoms and supporting overall health during perimenopause.