Abdominal Obesity and Metabolic Alterations in the Menopausal Transition

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is strikingly increasing worldwide. Obesity is a major risk factor for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, and is also associated with various psychosocial consequences. Menopausal transition is associated with unfavorable changes in body composition and abdominal fat deposition, which is accompanied by an increment of insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, a decrease in sex hormone-binding globulin levels and, consequently, an increase in free testosterone and greater androgenicity. Central body fat also correlates with deleterious changes in adipokines and inflammation markers like leptin, C-reactive protein, and adiponectin. In addition, the greater deposition of visceral fat in the menopausal transition contributes to the development of an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, which includes high triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations, as well as an increment of small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfraction, intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL), apolipoprotein (apo) B/apo A-I ratio and lipoprotein(a).

Menstrual cycle regularity as a predictor for heart disease and diabetes: Findings from a large population‐based longitudinal cohort study

“…However, reproductive‐metabolic links are often under‐appreciated and not considered when assessing cardio‐metabolic risk in women. This limits screening and prevention strategies including lifestyle modification, 1,2 and becomes even more pertinent as women transition through menopause, which is associated with increased visceral adiposity and adverse cardio‐metabolic changes 11 . Moreover, premature and early menopause are associated with chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis, breast cancer, depression, and anxiety 12 …”

Validity of dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry for estimation of visceral adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue change after surgery‐induced weight loss in women with severe obesity

“…Studies using smaller or "representative" ROIs may miss important differences or changes in VAT, thereby bringing into question the validity of DXA VAT assessments. For example, the menopausal transition period is associated with greater visceral fat accumulation (24). Our participants' ages ranged from 23 to 56 years at baseline.…”

Менопаузальний Метаболічний Синдром: Погляд Ендокринолога

“…Зміни адипокінового статусу у жінок із ММС є факторами ризику розвитку онкопатології [67]. Показано зв'язок ожиріння з раком молочної залози, який частіше зустрічається у жінок в постменопаузі.…”