Fat distribution patterns in young amenorrheic females

The present study analyzes body fat distribution, a well-known and importan t indicator of reproductive capability, in young women between 18 and 28 ye ars of age (mean = 23.3 years) suffering from secondary amenorrhea and ther efore temporary infertility resulting from self-starvation. Body compositio n parameters estimated by means of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and the fat distribution index, indicating body shape, were compared with those of healthy controls. Although members of the infertile, amenorrheic group exh ibited dramatically low body weight and total amount of body fat, and there fore a marked negative energy balance in comparison with the healthy contro ls, the sex-specific fat distribution patterns did not differ between infer tile and fertile young women. In contrast, the lower the weight and total f at amount, the more gynoid the fat distribution, even in infertile women. T his observation may be interpreted in an evolutionary sense: Our ancestors had to cope with frequent food shortages, even starvation, and therefore le ngthy periods of negative energy balance. In addition to pregnancy and lact ation, temporary infertility as a result of long-term negative energy balan ce was not an uncommon phenomenon in female life histories. Nevertheless, a fter a time of plenty, reproductive function recovered, and therefore the g ynoid fat distribution patterns in temporarily infertile young women may be interpreted as signal of reproductive capability, which resumes after a ti me of surplus.