Postmenopausal weight status, body composition and body fat distribution in relation to parameters of menstrual and reproductive history

Objectives: In the present study the association between menstrual and repr oductive history patterns and weight status, fat distribution and body comp osition during postmenopause was tested. Methods: In 106 healthy postmenopa usal women ranging in age from 48 to 58 years (x = 53.7 year) the weight st atus was classified according to the recommendations of the WHO. Additional ly body composition was estimated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and f at distribution was calculated using the fat distribution index. Weight sta tus, body composition and fat distribution were correlated with self-report ed parameters of menstrual and reproductive history (age at menarche, avera ge cycle length, number of births, age at first and last birth, average pre gnancy weight gain, age at menopause). Results: It was shown that number of births, age at first birth and pregnancy weight gain were related signific antly to the postmenopausal weight status, body composition and fat distrib ution. Conclusion: An early first birth a low number of births and a high w eight gain during pregnancies can be assumed as risk factors for overweight , a higher amount of adipose tissue, android fat patterning and therefore f or the development of the metabolic syndrome during postmenopause. In contr ast no adverse effect of menstrual and reproductive parameters on postmenop ausal bone mass was found. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All right s reserved.