Body composition and body fat distribution show difference in post-menopausal women (postMP) compared to premenopausal women (preMP) with almost equal body mass index (BMI) (28±5kg/m2 vs. 29±4kg/m2) and they were compared in this study with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Total and regional fat mass (FM), FM%, android FM (AFM), gynoid FM (GFM), and central obesity index COI=AFM%/GFM% were determined as well as lean body mass (LBM), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in 95 women. Trunkal FM in postMP (17.1±5.2kg) was higher compared to preMP (14.7±5.2kg) (p<0.042), as a result of higher AFM (2.97±0.98kg) in postMP compared to 2.39±1.1kg in preMP, but not significantly lower GFM (5.8±1.33kg) in postMP compared to 6.13±1.82kg in preMP. COI value (0.96±0.14) in postMP was higher compared to its value in preMP (0.86±0.14) (p<0.002). LBM was not significantly lower in postMP (37.98±4.29kg) compared to preMP (39.35±4.4kg). Total BMC (2.16±0.34kg) in postMP was lower compared to preMP (2.63±0.32kg), as well as tot al BMD in postMP (1.05±0.09 g/cm2) compared to preMP (1.17±0.07 g/cm2) (p<0.0001). Postmenopausal women are characterized with significantly lower BMC and BMD, not significantly lower LBM compared to premenopausal women, and significantly higher trunkal FM and COI as a result of significantly higher AFM but not GFM, confirming the emphasized abdominal obesity in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal women. .
