Body composition characteristics after menopause.

The effect of menstrual and reproductive history on body fat development after postmenopause was investigated in 278 healthy females aged between 44 and 67 years (x = 55.8 yrs). The absolute and relative amount of body fat was determined by means of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Significant associations between body fat after menopause and age at menarche, age at menopause, and average cycle length were observed. Furthermore the age at first as well as at last birth and the weight gain during pregnancies were related significantly with body fat after menopause. Overweight (BMI > 25.0) during postmenopause was significantly associated with an early menarche, a late menopause, an early first birth and a higher weight gain during pregnancies.