Body composition characteristics after menopause

The effect of menstrual and reproductive history on body fat development af ter postmenopause was investigated in 278 healthy females aged between 44 a nd 67 years (x = 55.8 yrs). The absolute and relative amount of body fat wa s determined by means of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Significant asso ciations between body fat after menopause and age at menarche, age at menop ause, and average cycle length were observed. Furthermore the age at first as well as at last birth and the weight gain during pregnancies were relate d significantly with body fat after menopause. Overweight (BMI > 25.0) duri ng postmenopause was significantly associated with an early menarche, a lat e menopause, an early first birth and a higher weight gain during pregnanci es.