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Introduction: Menopause marks an extensive period of hormonal changes in women. Estrogen depletion, combined with the aging process, increases fat mass, particularly intra-abdominal fat, and generates a decrease in muscle and bone mass, affecting women's usual levels of physical activity (PA) and compromising their quality of life. Exposure to the natural environment confers numerous health benefits, however, much remains unknown about the differences in the nature visits according to a woman's reproductive stages, and often PA levels are measured through questionnaires. Purpose: This study analyzed the variation of adiposity levels, PA and nature visits according to the stages of reproductive aging in women. Methods In this cross-sectional study, women aged 18 to 75 were categorized in the reproductive age (G1, n=94), menopausal transition (G2, n=12) and postmenopause (G3, n=36), considering the reproductive aging stages described in STRAW +10. Fat mass (FM, %) and visceral fat area (VFA) were assessed by octopolar bioimpedance (InBody 720). Physical activity (moderate-vigorous and steps/day) was measured using ActiGraph accelerometers (wGT3X-BT) and nature visits were assessed through a questionnaire. Analyses of variance were used to analyze the data. Some transformations of the variables were conducted, to normalize their distribution (moderate-vigorous PA) or to improve their asymmetry (VFA and nature visits). The standard significance level was set a p ≤0.05. Results: A higher percentage of women with obesity (%FM and VFA) and non-recommended levels of moderate-vigorous PA were recorded in group 3 (77.8%, 83.3%, and 72.2% respectively). Half of the women in G2 had high levels of total and central adiposity and levels of MVPA 0.05) and nature visits (p =0.17). Conclusions: Our results suggest that postmenopausal women evidence increased levels of total and central adiposity and simultaneously, limited levels of physical activity compared to women in the reproductive phase. These findings underline the need to implement PA programs oriented to weight control and to encourage the regular practice of PA adjusted to the needs evidenced by these women, contributing to a better quality of life for them. Funding: This work is supported by National Funds by FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the projects UIDB/04033/2020, UID04045/2020 and UIDB/00073/2020. The investigation was also supported by European funding program Interreg Atlantic Area, under the project (EAPA_772/2018-Triple-C).

Introduction: The evidence suggests that natural environments are essential for sustainable urban development, for the quality of life and well-being of the population, through improved health and physical activity (PA). However, the relationship between the connectedness to nature (CN), the percentage of vegetation cover in the neighborhood, and levels of PA still need further investigation. Purpose: The current study examines the associations between residential green space, PA, and CN in subjects between the ages of 18 and 75 years. Methods: The sample included 194 individuals, 61 men (41.42±15.37 years) and 133 women (39.93±15.60 years). Green space coverage (%) was appreciated through the Simplified Land Occupation Map. Total PA, moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and steps/day were measured using triaxial accelerometers (wGT3X-BT) which were worn on the non-dominant wrist for 4 consecutive days. Levels of MVPA ≥150 min/week and steps/day ≥10 000 were considered recommended and the Connectedness to Nature Scale was applied. The data were analyzed using the Student’s T test or the Mann-Whitney U test. For one of the analyses, a cutoff value of 44 years was considered, based on the division into two groups with equal numbers of observations. We also performed Pearson’s correlation and partial correlation analyses. Statistical significance was set at p ≤0.05. Results: The sample belonged to an area with high vegetation cover (71.51±15.15%) and exhibited a medium-high affective relationship with nature (3.73±0.43 points). The MVPA levels and steps/day identified in each gender were within the values recommended in the literature (182.75 ± 110.24 min/week and 13166.23± 3843.36 steps/day in men and 175.86±118.84 min/week and 125886.14±3783.46 steps/day in women). No statistically significant differences were identified between the two genders in relation to age, physical activity, green space coverage and connectedness to nature. In both genders, age showed a positive association with CN (r=0.303 in men and r=0.277 in women, p ≤0.05). In women, a significant correlation was also identified between age and the green area (r=0.286, p ≤0.01). Our results also indicated that in both genders, living in an area with high vegetation cover contributes to a greater affective and experiential connection with nature (r=0.426 for men and r=0.107 for women, p ≤0.05). Controlling for age this association in men was 0.390 for p ≤0.01 with a confidence of 15.2%. In women this association lost statistical significance with age control. Concerning the variables evaluated by accelerometry, we identified only in women a relationship between the CN and the number of daily steps (r=0.189, p ≤0.05). In both genders, the results also revealed that individuals aged 44 or older were those who exhibited a higher CN and performed a greater number of daily steps compared to individuals aged ≤44 years. Conclusions: Our results suggest that older individuals and those living in areas with a high percentage of vegetation cover exhibited greater affective connection with the natural environment. Women more connected to the natural environment and live in areas with greater vegetation cover tend to be more active, performing a greater number of daily steps. Funding: This work is supported by National Funds by FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the projects UIDB/04033/2020, UID04045/2020 and UIDB/00073/2020. The investigation was also supported by European funding program Interreg Atlantic Area, under the project (EAPA_772/2018-Triple-C).

Introdução: Uma das estratégias para a promoção da qualidade de vida no idoso, passa pela prática regular de atividade física (AF), amplamente recomendada na prevenção e controlo de várias doenças não transmissíveis e na melhoria da independência, funcionalidade e autonomia desta população. A utilização de sensores de movimento como acelerómetros confere maior objetividade e precisão na avaliação da AF, medindo a aceleração corporal e estimando o dispêndio energético associado ao movimento. Objetivo: O presente estudo procurou entender a influência da prática de níveis recomendados de AF moderada-vigorosa (AFMV) (pelo menos 150 minutos por semana) na qualidade vida e na aptidão física funcional (AFF) de mulheres idosas. Metodologia: A amostra incluiu 148 mulheres (65–95 anos), a sua maioria institucionalizadas. A bateria Senior Fitness Test (SFT) foi utilizada na avaliação da AFF e as variáveis antropométricas analisadas incluíram o índice de massa corporal (IMC) e o perímetro da cintura (PC). Os valores de corte para a obesidade total e central foram os seguintes: IMC≥ 25.5 kg/m2 (valor validado para mulheres pós-menopáusicas portuguesas) e PC ≥ 88 cm, respetivamente. O Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) foi aplicado para apreciar a qualidade de vida e os níveis de AF foram avaliados recorrendo à utilização de acelerómetros Actigraph GT1M e GT3X (Ford Walton Beach, Florida, USA), usados ao nível da cintura durante 4 dias. O Test-t para amostras independentes foi utilizado para explorar a igualdade de médias entre os grupos (AFVM