Association of body composition with menopausal symptoms in (peri-)menopausal women

Abstract

Objective: To explore the correlation of body composition with the severity of menopausal symptoms, as well as each classic menopausal symptom.

Methods: A total of 758 (peri-)menopausal women were recruited (aged from 40 to 67 years) from the Menopause Clinic in the Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital. Different regions of fat mass, lean mass and fat-free mass were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, while menopausal symptoms were evaluated by valid modified Kupperman’s index (KMI) in the Chinese version.

Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, logistic regression revealed that trunk lean mass (odds ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.09–0.99) was the independent determinant of moderate to severe menopausal symptoms (KMI ≥ 16). In multiple regression analysis, significant relationships were found between body mass index and hot flushes/sweating and diabetes (p < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between lean mass and muscle/joint pain and sexual problems (p < 0.05). We also observed significant relationships between fat mass and hot flushes/sweating and muscle/joint pain.

Conclusions: Our findings indicated that trunk lean mass was an independent protective factor for moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. Strengthening the trunk lean mass may alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Keywords:

• Lean mass
• fat mass
• menopausal symptom
• body mass index

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the study participants and the research associates who made it possible to complete this research project.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (Grant 154119050202) and Shanghai Health Development Planning Commission (Grant GWIV15).