Body mass index and its correlation to metabolic and hormone parameters in postmenopausal Spanish women

Abstract

Objective. To assess body weight composition in postmenopausal women and determine correlations with metabolic and hormonal parameters.

Methods. Medical records of 574 postmenopausal Caucasian Spanish women first time attending a menopause clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Retrieved information included general demographic data, type of menopause, time since menopause onset and baseline hormonal and metabolic parameters. A body mass index (BMI) value of >28.8 kg/m² was used to define obesity. The metabolic syndrome (METS) was diagnosed with three or more criteria: fasting glycemia ≥ 100 mg/dL, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) <50 mg/dL, triglycerides (TG) ≥150 mg/dL, blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg and obesity (as defined above).

Results. Mean age of the whole cohort was 49.9 ± 6.1 years, with 66% having a natural menopause. A 38.9% and 23.1% of all women were obese or had the METS, respectively. Obese women were older, had a higher parity, smoked less, had more time since menopause onset and a higher rate of surgical menopause as compared to non-obese ones (p = 0.001). BMI values positively correlated with age, time since menopause, parity, and glucose, TG and systolic blood pressure levels; displaying an inverse correlation with HDL-C and SHBG levels. SHBG levels inversely correlated with glucose, TG, HDL-C and systolic blood pressure levels.

Conclusion. In this Spanish postmenopausal population BMI significantly increased with age, time since menopause and parity displaying significant correlations with hormonal and metabolic parameters.

Keywords:

• Body mass index
• obesity
• postmenopause
• hormones
• metabolic
• sex hormone binding globulin

Acknowledgment

This research has been partially supported by the B/017543/08 AECID (‘Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo’) grant from the Spanish ‘Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación’.