BACKGROUND: To determine the efficacy of a home-based physical exercise program on quality of life, physical condition and anthropometric and biochemical parameters in obese postmenopausal women. METHODS: 106 obese postmenopausal women were randomized to participate in a home-based physical exercise program, contains aerobic and anaerobic activity, or to receive conventional information about diet and exercise. After 6 months, effects on quality of life were evaluated by means of three psychological tests: EuroQoL, Rosenberg and subjective evaluation of health. Moreover, changes in body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), adipose tissue mass, biochemical parameters and physical condition parametrers were measured. RESULTS: Women included in the exercise group improved their quality of life after six months (EuroQoL 0.74 (0.25) versus 0.42 (0.39); Rosenberg 25.25 (4.62) versus 20.56 (5.21); subjective evaluation of health (%) 72.5 (18.45) versus 58.36 (19.62); p < 0.001), and reductions in weight (87.82 (14.88) versus 92.21 (14.69); p < 0.001) and BMI (36.12 (5.58) versus 37.99 (5.93); p < 0.001). Legs strength improved (31.88 (15.61) versus 28.79 (16.75)). No changes were observed in control group. Thirty-one subjects withdrew from the study before 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Obese postmenopausal women improve quality of life and reduce weight and fat mass after a homebased physical exercise program. The high withdrawal rate should be considered as the great problem in this kind of programs.

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