CHANGES IN LIPID PROFILE AND BODY MASS INDEX DURING THE MENOPAUSAL TRANSITION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN A POPULATION OF MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER WOMEN
Keywords:
menopausal transition, lipid profile, body mass index, middle-aged and older womenAbstract
Menopause represents a significant physiological transitional phase in a woman's life, marked by the permanent cessation of the menstrual cycle due to declining ovarian function and a drop in estrogen levels. This hormonal shift has a considerable impact on multiple body systems, including unfavorable alterations in lipid profiles and an increase in body mass index (BMI), collectively contributing to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among middle-aged and older women. Numerous studies have confirmed that the perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods are associated with an elevated risk of developing CVD, which is the leading cause of mortality in women over the age of 50.
Research Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate changes in lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) and BMI during the menopausal transition among middle-aged and older women.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on a sample of 252 women aged 45 years and older who visited the gynecology department of the Health Center Cazin (Bosnia and Herzegovina) between January and July 2025. Participants were divided into five age groups. Lipid parameters and BMI were analyzed, and statistical analysis included descriptive methods and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with the significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results and Discussion: A trend of increasing total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and BMI with advancing age was observed, while HDL levels showed a decreasing trend. However, statistically significant differences between age groups were found only for triglycerides (p = 0.049) and BMI (p = 0.003). The highest average BMI was recorded in the 60–64 age group (32.08 ± 4.83 kg/m²), whereas the highest levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were observed in women over 65 years of age.
Conclusions: The findings of this study confirm that the menopausal transition significantly contributes to the deterioration of the lipid profile and an increase in body weight among women over the age of 45, particularly during the postmenopausal phase. Changes in total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and the decline in HDL levels indicate an elevated cardiovascular risk. These results underscore the importance of regular monitoring of lipid status and body weight, as well as the need for timely preventive and therapeutic interventions to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in this population.
Recommendations: Regular monitoring of lipid and anthropometric parameters is recommended in menopausal women to identify risk factors and enable early intervention. Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes, increased physical activity, and, where appropriate, pharmacological treatments, may be crucial for improving metabolic health and preventing serious health complications later in life.
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