Changes in Abdominal Fat Distribution with Menopause: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Increases in abdominal fat have been reported with menopause, but the impact of menopause on abdominal fat distribution (visceral vs. subcutaneous) is still unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if abdominal fat content is altered with menopause, and more specifically if abdominal fat distribution changes with menopause. METHODS: Eight healthy premenopausal women who participated in an earlier study were examined ~8 years later when they were postmenopausal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to quantify total abdominal, subcutaneous, and visceral fat. Physical activity (PA) and blood lipids were also measured. RESULTS: Body weight and waist circumference did not change with menopause (Body Weight: PRE: 63.2 ± 3.1 kg, POST: 63.9 ± 2.5 kg; Waist Circumference: PRE: 92.1 ± 4.6 cm, POST: 93.4 ± 3.7 cm), however total abdominal fat, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat all significantly (p<0.05) increased with menopause (PRE vs. POST: Total: 146,223 ± 22,244 vs. 197,481 ± 18,609 cm3; Subcutaneous: 107,528 ± 16,713 vs. 141,745 ± 14,341 cm3; Visceral: 38,696 ± 8,513 vs. 55,736 ± 9,353 cm3 ). Although absolute adiposity changed with menopause, relative fat distribution was not significantly different after menopause (PRE vs. POST: Subcutaneous: 73 ± 3% vs. 71 ± 3%; Visceral: 26 ± 3% vs. 28 ± 3%). Physical activity, lean mass and fat mass, along with total cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not change with menopause. Highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) both increased (p<0.05) and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL decreased (p<0.05) with menopause. CONCLUSION: As measured longitudinally with MRI, total abdominal fat content increased with menopause despite no change in physcial activity, body weight or waist circumference; however, menopause did not affect the relative abdominal fat distribution in these women.