Date of this Version

8-1-2025

Document Type

DNP Project

Abstract

Menopausal weight gain (MWG) is a common concern among midlife women but is often overlooked in primary care. Healthcare clinicians (HCCs) are in a key position to offer early, supportive strategies for MWG, yet barriers such as limited menopause-related knowledge, low confidence, and time constraints often prevent effective intervention. MWG typically involves increased abdominal fat and body fat redistribution, which are associated with heightened risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain cancers. It can also worsen menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and joint pain, ultimately reducing quality of life and increasing healthcare utilization. This quality improvement (QI) project took place in a South Florida primary care practice serving women aged 40 to 60, a population commonly experiencing perimenopause or postmenopause. The project aimed to enhance HCCs’ knowledge, confidence, and clinical behaviors in addressing MWG by providing brief, evidence-based tools suited to time-limited visits. Additional goals included recognizing patients at risk and promoting nonpharmacological strategies through supportive clinician-patient conversations. Fifty-three participants (N = 53) completed a webinar focused on lifestyle-based MWG management, including physical activity, nutrition, stress reduction, sleep hygiene, and decreased intake of salt, caffeine, and alcohol. The mnemonic N.A.M.A.S.T.E. was used to support recall and implementation of these strategies. Pre- and post-intervention surveys measured changes in knowledge, confidence, and clinical behaviors. Results showed significant improvements: knowledge rose by 21.55%, confidence by 39.08%, and practice behaviors by 46.14%. Paired t-tests confirmed these gains were statistically significant (p < 0.0001), with large effect sizes across all domains.

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