Anthropometric Indices and Age at Natural Menopause: A 15-Year Follow-up Population-Based Study

Abstract

Background: Following menopause, the risk of many diseases is increased, and this situation may be due to changes in anthropometric indices (AI), while the association between adiposity and age at natural menopause (ANM) is not clear yet. Objectives: This longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the ability of AI in predicting ANM. Methods: For this purpose, a total of 3,876 women aged > 20 years old from participants of the Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS) met our eligibility criteria. The association between ANM and various AIs was assessed using the Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) model, and time ratio (TR) with 95% confidence intervals were reported in this longitudinal study. Results: The median [interquartile range (IQR) 25 - 75] of the survival time was 12.5 (7.9 - 15.8) years. At the end of the follow-up, 1,479 (38.2%) of the participants reached menopause. The median time to natural menopause was decreased by about 2% with one standard deviation (SD) increase of both a body shape index (ABSI) (time ratio (TR): 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97, 0.99) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) (TR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.98, 0.99) z-scores; and this time was increased by about 1% (TR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.02) with one SD increase in body mass index (BMI) z-score. Conclusions: The ABSI, LAP, and BMI were the most useful AIs for identification of the time to menopause onset, and ABSI and LAP were inversely associated with the ANM. Also, the BMI was directly associated with the ANM.

Age at natural menopause and its associated characteristics among Brazilian women: cross-sectional results from ELSI-Brazil

“…In Canada, obesity (BMI, >30 kg/m 2 ) was also associated with later natural menopause (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.96), whereas no association was identified for underweight (BMI, <20 kg/m 2 ) 12 . A recent prospective study showed that the median time until natural menopause increased by about 1% with an increase of one SD in the BMI z score of Iranian women over 15 years of follow-up 56 . The link between excess weight and age at natural menopause may be explained by the complex functions of adipose tissue and its metabolism, including the androstenedione conversion into estrone.…”

“…12 A recent prospective study showed that the median time until natural menopause increased by about 1% with an increase of one SD in the BMI z score of Iranian women over 15 years of follow-up. 56 The link between excess weight and age at natural menopause may be explained by the complex functions of adipose tissue and its metabolism, including the androstenedione conversion into estrone. 57,58 Additionally, a high concentration of free estrogen, resulting from the reduction or suppression of sex hormone-binding globulin induced by adiposity, may contribute to delaying the onset of menopause.…”

Sociodemographic, Anthropometric, Body Composition, Nutritional, and Biochemical Factors Influenced by Age in a Postmenopausal Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…During post-menopause, women may experience serum lipid changes [ 8 ] via the redistribution of the fat mass to the abdominal compartment, reducing activity, energy expenditure, and fat oxidation, thus modifying their body composition via the augmentation of fat mass and diminishing muscle mass [ 9 ]. These disturbances in lipid metabolism and anthropometric condition along with an imbalance in antioxidant status increase the risk of impaired cardiovascular and oxidative stress-related parameters as menopause advances [ 10 ].…”