Seasonal variation in physical activity patterns, energy expenditure and nutritional status of women in a rural village in Tanzania

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the influence of season on the nutritional status, physical activity patterns and energy expenditure of rural women in Tanzania. Design: A longitudinal study design was carried out to monitor seasonal changes in physical activity pattern, energy expenditure and nutritional status in 100 non-pregnant nonlactating women living in a rural setting. Body weight, circumferences, and skin-fold measurements were measured for a period of 10 months. Height was measured once at the beginning of the study. Energy expenditure while women were engaged in various activities was measured once in 3 different months using the activity diary method. Seasons were defined as the wet season from February to May and the dry season from June to January. Results: Seasonal change in body weight was 1 700 g. Mean body weight was lower during the wet season (53.2 kg) thanduring the dry season (54.9 kg) but the difference was not statistically significant. Physical activity patterns and energy expenditure varied with season, averaging 2 775, 2 420 and 2 020 kcal per day in April, July and October, respectively. Levels were significantly (p = 0.01) higher during the wet season (April) than during the dry season (October). There were no significant variations in upper thigh and buttock circumference measurements, suggesting that these areas of the body are not easily affected by fluctuations in the level of energy expenditure. Conclusion. Season had a statistically significant influence on energy expenditure, but a non-statistically significant effect on nutritional status (weight) of women in Dumila village. However, further studies are needed to elucidate how these changes affect production efficiency and reproductive performance of rural women.