title: Effects of the menopausal transition on energy expenditure: a MONET Group Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Factors that influence weight gain during the menopausal transition are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in energy expenditure (EE) across the menopausal transition.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 102 premenopausal women (age: 49.9 ± 1.9 years; body mass index: 23.3 ± 2.2 kg/m(2)) were followed for 5 years. Body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), physical activity EE (accelerometer), resting EE and thermic effect of food (indirect calorimetry) were measured annually.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total EE decreased significantly over time in postmenopausal women (P<0.05), which was mostly due to a decrease in physical activity EE (P<0.05). Although average resting EE remained stable over time in postmenopausal women, a significant increase, over the 5-year period, was noted in women who were in the menopausal transition by year 5 (P<0.05). Finally, the time spent in moderate physical activity decreased and the time spent in sedentary physical activity increased during the menopausal transition (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that menopausal transition is accompanied with a decline in EE mainly characterized by a decrease in physical activity EE and a shift to a more sedentary lifestyle.
authors: Institute of Population Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Duval
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Prud'homme
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Rabasa-Lhoret
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Strychar
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Brochu
authors: J-M
authors: JM
authors: Lavoie
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Doucet
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology; D015430:Weight Gain