The combined effect of yogurt, with resistance exercise, on body composition in perimenopausal women

Project Overview 

The years leading up to menopause are a time of major physical and hormonal change, especially for overweight or obese women. This transition can affect body composition, metabolism, and inflammation, making it harder to stay healthy and active. Yogurt is a whole food that combines protein, probiotics, and key nutrients that may support exercise results and gut health. This project will explore whether combining yogurt with resistance training can improve body fat, muscle mass, and other health markers.  The findings could lead to simple, food-based strategies to support women’s health during this important stage of life. 

What Will the Research Team Do? 

The research team will study whether combining yogurt with strength training helps improve health during the menopause transition. The primary objectives of this work are to: 

• See if yogurt and exercise together improve body composition (less fat, more lean mass). 
• Assess how this combination affects the gut microbiome and digestive health. 
• Track changes in bone turnover, inflammation, and menopausal symptoms. 
• Compare these outcomes to a group using a calorie- and protein-matched pudding.