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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
BMI, and not age, is the main determinant of the increase of body fat mass (total and abdominal) observed during the menopausal transition.
Cervellati
Carlo
C
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Pansini
Francesco Saverio
FS
Bonaccorsi
Gloria
G
Pascale
Giuliana
G
Bagni
Bruno
B
Castaldini
Cristina
C
Ferrazini
Stefania
S
Ridolfi
Francesca
F
Pedriali
Mery
M
Guariento
Angela
A
Bergamini
Carlo M
CM
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged