Impact of Menopause and Body Composition Status on Dyslipidemia in Women

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of menopausal and body composition statuses on measures of total and regional body composition and dyslipidemia in women. Methods: Sedentary, non-smoking women (N = 212), not currently treated for dyslipidemia were grouped based on 2 categories: (1) menstrual status: premenopausal or postmenopausal and (2) body composition status: normal weight (NW; BMI < 25 kg/m² and body fat (BF) < 36%), normal weight obese (NWO; BMI < 25 kg/m² and BF > 36%), or obese (BMI > 25 kg/m² and BF > 36%), to determine differences in total and regional body composition and measures of lipid and lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations. Results: Overall, a greater prevalence of NWO was observed in postmenopausal versus premenopausal women. Being postmenopausal was associated with higher TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, HDL-C, and HDL₃-C. Premenopausal NWO women had elevated LDL-C and VLDL-C comparable to obese women. Postmenopausal NWO women had elevated Tg and VLDL-C and lower HDL-C similar to obese women. Conclusions: Menopausal status was not associated with differences in fat distribution, however, the age-related differences in lipids and lipoproteins appear to be due to a difference in menopausal status exacerbated in women who are NWO.