title: Core body temperature is lower in postmenopausal women than premenopausal women: potential implications for energy metabolism and midlife weight gain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Weight gain during the menopausal transition is common. Although studies have suggested that weight gain is more likely related to aging than menopause, there is a reduction in resting energy expenditure with surgical or natural menopause which is independent of age and changes in body composition. The underlying mechanisms could include a reduction in core body temperature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from two related studies. Sample size was 23 men and 25 women (12 premenopausal,13 postmenopausal). In the Clinical Research Unit, core temperature was measured every minute for 24 hours (CorTemp System,HQ Inc.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean 24-hour core body temperature was 0.25 ± 0.06 °C lower in postmenopausal than premenopausal women (p=0.001). Mean 24-hour core temperature was 0.34 ± 0.05 °C lower in men than in premenopausal women (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postmenopausal women, like men, had lower core body temperatures than premenopausal women. This may have implications for midlife weight gain.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Neff
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Mindy E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Dinah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zeiss
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Kelley N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Wachsberg
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kushner
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Lewis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Landsberg
keywords: menopause; metabolism; obesity; temperature; weight; women