Body mass index is a major determinant of abdominal fat accumulation in pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women

Objective. To investigate the role of menopause, body mass index (BMI) and aging on body fat distribution in women. Design. In this population-based cross-sectional study, 335 women (126 in pre-menopause, 75 in peri-menopause and 134 in post-menopause according to Stages of Reproductive Aging Worksh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gynecological endocrinology 2009-01, Vol.25 (6), p.413-417
Main Authors: Cervellati, Carlo, Pansini, Francesco Saverio, Bonaccorsi, Gloria, Pascale, Giuliana, Bagni, Bruno, Castaldini, Cristina, Ferrazini, Stefania, Ridolfi, Francesca, Pedriali, Mery, Guariento, Angela, Bergamini, Carlo M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
abdominal fat
Abdominal Fat - physiology
Adult
aging
Aging - physiology
Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
dual X-ray absorptiometry
Female
Humans
Menopause
Menopause - physiology
Middle Aged
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Summary:Objective. To investigate the role of menopause, body mass index (BMI) and aging on body fat distribution in women. Design. In this population-based cross-sectional study, 335 women (126 in pre-menopause, 75 in peri-menopause and 134 in post-menopause according to Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria) were evaluated for body mass composition and fat distribution by dual X-ray absorptiometry procedure. A sub-group of 79 women with similar age and BMI was extracted from the sample to examine the relative influence of BMI in body fat distribution. Results. ANCOVA analysis of total sample showed an age-independent increase of total fat mass (p < 0.001) and percentage on total weight (p < 0.001), arms fat mass (p < 0.01), legs fat mass percentage on total fat (p < 0.05) and trunk fat mass (p < 0.001) and percentage (p < 0.05) in peri- and post- with respect to pre-menopausal women. In the sub-sample including age and BMI matched women the difference of regional fat parameters among menopausal status was no more statistically significant. Conclusion. BMI, and not age, is the main determinant of the increase of body fat mass (total and abdominal) observed during the menopausal transition.
ISSN:0951-3590
1473-0766
DOI:10.1080/09513590902770123