Brown Adipose Tissue, Adiposity, and Menopausal Status in Women at Mid-Life

Change in the amount and distribution of fat during the menopausal transition increases the risk for developing cardiometabolic diseases. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is activated during cold exposure, leading to increased metabolic activity and may be protective of obesity. Little is known regarding the effects of the menopausal transition on BAT activity in women. Accordingly, this study examines the effect of menopausal status and adiposity on estimated BAT activity in a sample of women.

A sample of 270 women aged 45-55 years was recruited. Menopausal status and age at menopause were derived from recent menstrual characteristics. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, skinfolds, and bioelectric impedance were measured. BAT activity was estimated by infrared thermography at the supraclavicular region before and after cold exposure (hand immersed in 17°C water). The relationships between menopausal status, adiposity measures, and BAT were analyzed by means of analyses of variance and logistic and linear regressions.

Menopausal status was significantly related to estimated BAT activity, with postmenopausal women having lower activity. Estimated BAT activity was significantly negatively related to the waist-to-hip circumference ratio, but not to measures of general adiposity. There were no significant differences in adiposity measures by menopausal status.

Postmenopausal women in this study showed lowered BAT activity compared to premenopausal women. Women with lower BAT activity averaged larger waist-to-hip circumference ratios, indicating greater fat centrality. These results provide evidence for the possible role of BAT in the increased risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases in women after menopause.