title: Obesity and metabolic syndrome during the menopause transition in Serbian women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome are known to increase in prevalence from premenopause to postmenopause. Both are well recognized predictors of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in women. Aims The primary objective of this study was to assess the presence of obesity and metabolic syndrome during the menopause transition in Serbian women who attended health-care centers. The secondary objective was to evaluate the prevalence of ischemic heart disease, stroke and diabetes in this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our results present a part of the national epidemiological cross-sectional study assessing prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity in Serbia. In all, 1076 women attending 20 health-care centers were assessed. Women were divided into five groups: premenopausal, perimenopausal, early and late postmenopausal and geripausal. Medical history, waist circumference, blood glucose, lipids, and blood pressure were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean body mass index of all women was 28.5 ± 4.9 kg/m(2). The mean waist circumference of all women was 92 ± 12.5 cm. Both were significantly lower in premenopausal women than in other women. Metabolic syndrome was present in 72% of women, with a significant difference in prevalence between premenopausal women and other groups. High triglyceride levels and hypertension were the most commonly present components of metabolic syndrome. Ischemic heart disease, stroke and diabetes occurred significantly more often in postmenopausal and geripausal women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of Serbian women attending health-care centers have abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome which significantly increase in prevalence in the perimenopausal years. This indicates that preventive measures should be focused on diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the perimenopause.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: T Beljic
authors: TB
authors: Zivkovic
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Vuksanovic
authors: M Andjelic
authors: MA
authors: Jelic
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Stojanovic
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Buric
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Jojic
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Milic
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Vujovic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D055771:Serbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids