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Endometriosis and body fat distribution
S E McCann1, J L Freudenheim, S L Darrow
1Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Younger women with endometriosis showed a higher risk associated with lower waist-to-hip and waist-to-thigh ratios, suggesting a link between body fat distribution and the disease.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Endocrinology
- Body Composition Research
Background:
- Endometriosis is a complex gynecologic condition.
- Body fat distribution is increasingly recognized as a factor in various health conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between body fat distribution, specifically somatotype, and the risk of developing endometriosis.
- To determine if certain body fat patterns are associated with endometriosis.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 88 women with confirmed endometriosis and 88 age-matched controls.
- Data collection included standardized personal interviews and body measurements.
- Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between waist-to-hip and waist-to-thigh ratios and endometriosis risk.
Main Results:
- In women under 30, a lower waist-to-hip ratio (OR 6.18) and waist-to-thigh ratio (OR 3.64) were significantly associated with an increased risk of endometriosis.
- This association was not observed in women aged 30 and older.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a specific somatotype, characterized by peripheral body fat, may be linked to endometriosis.
- This may offer insights into endometriosis diagnosis and understanding its etiology.