Author(s)

Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, Alberto Battezzati, Simona Bertoli

International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status (ICANS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

Epidemiological studies showed an association between menopause, weight gain and risk factors that identify the metabolic syndrome (MS). We evaluated body composition and metabolic risk factors in postmenopausal women addressed to a center for the assessment of nutritional status to lose weight by hypocaloric balanced diet. 161 postmenopausal women were enrolled. MS diagnosis was made applying IDF (International Diabetes Foundation) criteria. After the prescription of hypocaloric diet all subjects were controlled every 2 months. In patients suffering from MS (MS⁺) at the first visit, diagnosis of MS was reassessed when 10% weight loss was achieved. 70 women were MS⁺. Years since menopause, low instruction level, obesity and Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) were each associated with MS. Particularly, BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² (OR: 2.61; 95% CI, 1.76 - 3.46) and VAT > 6.6 cm (OR: 3.49; 95% CI, 2.52 - 4.46) resulted independent risk factors. The 30% of the whole sample dropped out, the reminders significantly reduced weight, waist circumference (Wc) and Fat Mass (p < 0.01). The 35% of MS⁺ women achieved the 10% weight loss with significant reduction of VAT, Wc, fasting glucose, tryglicerides, blood pressure and resolution of MS in the 78% of them. The 43.5% of postmenopausal women addressed in one center for the assessment of nutritional status to follow a weight-loss nutritional program had the MS; visceral obesity was the strongest independent risk factor and hypocaloric balanced diet resulted a good strategy to lose weight and treat MS.

Menopause; Weight Gain; Metabolic Syndrome; Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT); Hypocaloric Diet; Weight Loss

A. Spadafranca, L. Vignati, A. Battezzati and S. Bertoli, "Body Composition and Metabolic Risk Factors in Postmenopausal Women: Effects of a Dietary Weight Loss Program," Food and Nutrition Sciences, Vol. 4 No. 4, 2013, pp. 420-429. doi: 10.4236/fns.2013.44054.