Menopause-associated differences in female fat patterning estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

The aim of the present study was to describe and quantify the typical changes in fat patterning from premenopause to postmenopause. The absolute and relative fat and lean body mass were estimated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 461 healthy non-obese females between the ages of 18 and 64 years (x = 43.2). Significant differences (p < 0.001) in absolute and relative fat mass, body weight and body mass index between pre-, peri- and postmenopausal females were observed. Postmenopausal women were significantly heavier (BMI, x = 26.8) than perimenopausal (BMI, x = 24.4) and younger and older premenopausal women (BMI, x = 22.8) and showed significantly higher fat percentages (fat% x = 38.1) in comparison to perimenopausal (x = 36.8) and premenopausal females (x = 31.4). Three indices, upper body composition index, lower body composition index and fat distribution index were calculated. Typical differences in fat distribution patterns between females of differential menopausal status were found. During the premenopausal phase a more gynoid type of fat distribution prevailed, during the postmenopausal phase a more android kind of fat distribution occurred predominantly. The fat distribution during the perimenopause can be interpreted as less gynoid than during the premenopause.