Is There a Signifacant Association Between Body Image and Psychological Health in Moroccan Postmenopausal Women? A Cross-Sectional Study

Menopause and its consequences, sometimes complex, can generate discomfort in well-being and consequently affect the quality of women’s lives.

The present study was carried out to examine the quality of life of menopausal women in the North-East of Morocco. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of anthropometric changes in corpulence, weight gain, and abdominal obesity on the self-esteem of menopausal women and to explore how these changes may increase the risk of psychological problems.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 199 women aged 40–59 years. Participants completed a questionnaire about their lifestyle, feelings, and psychological experiences alongside undergoing anthropometric measurements.

The study found that over 70% of women in this region experienced weight gain, increased body fat, and abdominal obesity. However, despite these physical changes, the analysis revealed that body image and self-esteem were not significantly negatively impacted, and women did not report notable psychological distress related to these changes.

The findings suggest that despite physical changes such as weight gain and abdominal obesity, menopausal women may not experience significant negative effects on their self-esteem or body image.