Body composition and cardiometabolic health across the menopause transition

Abstract

Every year, 2 million women reach menopause in the United States, and they may spend 40% or more of their life in a postmenopausal state. In the years immediately preceding menopause—known as the menopause transition (or perimenopause)—changes in hormones and body composition increase a woman’s overall cardiometabolic risk. In this narrative review, we summarize the changes in weight, body composition, and body fat distribution, as well as the changes in energy intake, energy expenditure, and other cardiometabolic risk factors (lipid profile, glucose metabolism, sleep health, and vascular function), that occur during the menopause transition. We also discuss the benefits of lifestyle interventions in women in the earlier stages of menopause before these detrimental changes occur. Finally, we discuss how to include perimenopausal women in research studies so that women across the life‐span are adequately represented.

The Mediation Effect of Body Composition on the Association Between Menopause and Hyperuricemia: Evidence From China National Health Survey

“…Investigated by Greendale et al, trying to examine the relationship between MT and body composition change, they investigated women in the SWAN cohort and found that at the start of MT, the rate of fat gain doubled, and lean mass declined (20). The hormonal changes during MT are associated with changes in energy expenditure and energy intake that promote a positive energy balance, resulting in weight gain (29)(30)(31)(32). In this study, the main concern is the time sequence of weight change and MT.…”

NAMS 2021 Utian Translational Science SymposiumSeptember 2021, Washington, DCCharting the path to health in midlife and beyond: the biology and practice of wellness

“…At any rate, a positive energy balance will lead to weight gain. This weight gain is primarily in the form of increased fat mass, and in particular increases in abdominal fat deposition, 61,62 which are linked with metabolic disturbances such as hypertension, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes 63 …”

“…60,61 At any rate, a positive energy balance will lead to weight gain. This weight gain is primarily in the form of increased fat mass, and in particular increases in abdominal fat deposition, 61,62 which are linked with metabolic disturbances such as hypertension, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. 63 Behavioral modification, the first line of treatment to combat weight gain, is appropriate for all levels of disease severity, and achieves approximately 5% to 7% weight loss.…”

Hepatic adropin is regulated by estrogen and contributes to adverse metabolic phenotypes in ovariectomized mice

“…Menopause defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular activity [ 1 ], is associated with a deranged metabolic phenotype including weight gain, visceral adiposity, liver steatosis and insulin resistance resulting in a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in post-versus pre-menopausal women [ 2 ]. Weight gain results primarily from decreased energy expenditure rather than increased food intake [ 3 , 4 ]. There is a shift in adipose tissue distribution from a lower body predominant subcutaneous fat depot towards a more visceral abdominal distribution pattern [ 5 , 6 ].…”