Increased visceral fat and decreased energy expenditure during the menopausal transition.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed longitudinal changes in body composition, fat distribution and energy balance in perimenopausal women. We hypothesized that total fat and abdominal body fat would increase at menopause due to decreased energy expenditure (EE) and declining estrogen, respectively.


METHODS
Observational, longitudinal study with annual measurements for 4 years.


METHODS
Healthy women (103 Caucasian; 53 African-American), initially premenopausal. During follow-up, lack of menstruation for 1 year and follicle-stimulating hormone >30 mIU ml(-1) defined a subject as postmenopausal.


METHODS
Fat and lean mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous abdominal fat (SAT) (computed tomography), dietary intake (4-day food record), serum sex hormones and physical activity (tri-axial accelerometry). Twenty-four hour EE was measured by whole-room calorimeter in a subset of 34 women at baseline and at year 4.


RESULTS
Body fat and weight increased significantly over time only in those women who became postmenopausal by year 4 (n=51). All women gained SAT over time; however, only those who became postmenopausal had a significant increase in VAT. The postmenopausal group also exhibited a significant decrease in serum estradiol. Physical activity decreased significantly 2 years before menopause and remained low. Dietary energy, protein, carbohydrate and fiber intake were significantly higher 3-4 years before the onset of menopause compared with menopause onset. Twenty-four hour EE and sleeping EE decreased significantly with age; however, the decrease in sleeping EE was 1.5-fold greater in women who became postmenopausal compared with premenopausal controls (-7.9 vs -5.3%). Fat oxidation decreased by 32% in women who became postmenopausal (P<0.05), but did not change in those who remained premenopausal.


CONCLUSIONS
Middle-aged women gained SAT with age, whereas menopause per se was associated with an increase in total body fat and VAT. Menopause onset is associated with decreased EE and fat oxidation that can predispose to obesity if lifestyle changes are not made.
Lovejoy
J C
JC
Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.
Champagne
C M
CM
de Jonge
L
L
Xie
H
H
Smith
S R
SR
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002151:Calorimetry; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D047648:Perimenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D044465:White People
D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone