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PubMed1998

[Body build related body composition and nutrition in adulthood--a comparison of skinfold thickness measurement and bioelectric impedance analysis].

The objective of the present study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of body build, body composition and nutritional status. The study sample consists of 498 men and women aged from 35 to 65 years. Subjects underwent a detailed anthropometric examination incompassing thirty-one body measurements, eleven skinfold thickness measurements, and bioelectrical impedance analysis for determination of body composition. Dietary intake was assessed by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was clearly associated with age and body build. Somatometric differentiation by use of the metric index showed that percentage of body fat was significantly higher in pycnomorphic compared to leptomorphic subjects, whereas reported dietary energy intake was lower. Comparison of estimates of body fat showed considerably deviating results for skinfold thickness measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis depending on the equations used. This was especially pronounced in obese subjects, where, on an average, bioelectrical impedance analysis resulted in higher values for percentage of body fat compared to skinfold thickness measurements. We conclude that for assessment of nutritional status body composition should be investigated taking into account body build in addition to age and sex.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Body composition estimations by BIA versus anthropometric equations in body builders and other power athletes.

BACKGROUND: Two main questions are stated: 1) are BIA and anthropometric equations accurate in estimating body composition in male power athletes and more specifically in body builders and 2) is there a difference in body composition when body builders are compared to weight and power lifters? METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: this is a descriptive, comparative study on a selected sample of power athletes. PARTICIPANTS: 49 Belgian elite and sub-top male power athletes (34 body builders and 15 weight and power lifters) were included in this sample. More than 70% was in preparation of competition at time of data collection. MEASURES: an extended set of anthropometric measures was taken. Body composition was estimated by BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) and by regression equations of skinfolds. Somatotype and muscle+bone areas were calculated. Factor analysis on all anthropometric measures was carried out to determine the body structure of the athletes. RESULTS: Compared to external visual criteria, the equations of Durnin and Womersley and Lohman (skinfolds) and the Guo-equation (BIA) were the only equations that could accurately estimate the body composition for this specific group of athletes. However, the sum of skinfolds attains the most accurate estimate of subcutaneous fatness. Body builders have significantly (p<0.01) larger arm and thigh circumferences and are more mesomorfic than the other power athletes (5.9 vs 3.8). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that to estimate body composition in extreme power athletes BIA is not as accurate as compared to anthropometric equations. Moreover, the sum of a larger set of skinfolds is preferred to anthropometric prediction equations. In addition, body builders are more muscular and leaner than other power athletes.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1998

The associations of body size and body composition with left ventricular mass: impacts for indexation in adults.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship between body size, body composition and left ventricular mass (LVM) in adults, and assessed the impact of different indexations of LVM on its associations with gender, adiposity and blood pressure. BACKGROUND: The best way to normalize LVM for body size to appropriately distinguish physiologic adaptation from morbid heart morphology was discussed. METHODS: We undertook a community survey of 653 men and 718 women, aged 25 to 74 years. Lean body mass (LBM) was determined by bioelectric impedance analyses and LVM was assessed by two-dimensional guided M-mode echocardiography. RESULTS: After traditional indexations to body height, body height2.7, or body surface area, men had higher LVM than women (p < 0.001). These gender differences disappeared (p > 0.05) when LVM was indexed to LBM. The type of indexation also modified the strength of the association between adiposity and LVM. The estimated impact of body fat on LVM indexed to LBM was less than half that obtained with traditional indexations. In contrast, the magnitude of the associations of blood pressure with LVM was entirely independent of the type of indexation. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the prominent influence of body composition on adult heart size. Indexation for LBM removed gender differences for LVM and reduced the impact of adiposity, but left the effects of blood pressure unchanged. We suggest that this approach be used for clinical and research applications.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of the novel Tanita body-fat analyser to measure body composition by comparison with a four-compartment model.

The Tanita body-fat analyser is a novel device to estimate body fat, based on the principles of bioelectrical impedance. It differs from other impedance systems which use surface electrodes in that the subjects stand bare-footed on a metal sole-plate which incorporates the electrodes, hence impedance is measured through the legs and lower trunk. In 104 men and 101 women (16-78 years and BMI 16-41 kg/m2) the mean bias in body-fat mass measured using the Tanita body-fat analyser was 0.8 (2SD 7.9) kg relative to a four-compartment model. This is comparable to the other prediction techniques tested (conventional tetrapolar impedance -1.3 (2SD 6.9) kg, skinfold thicknesses 0.3 (2SD 7.4) kg, and BMI-based formulas -0.2 (2SD 9.0) kg and -0.6 (2SD 8.5) kg), but the agreement was poorer than for 'reference' methods to measure body fat (density 0.2 (2SD 3.7) kg, total body water -0.9 (2SD 3.4) kg and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry 0.1 (2SD 5.0) kg). The present paper also describes the derivation of a new prediction equation for the calculation of body composition from the Tanita body-fat analyser. The equation incorporates sex, age, and a log-transformation of height, weight and the measured impedance to predict body fat measured by a four-compartment model. This approach is recommended in the derivation of other prediction equations in body composition analysis. Using this novel prediction equation the residual standard deviations were 4.8% for men and 3.3% for women. A similar analysis using data collected with a conventional tetrapolar system yielded residual standard deviations of 4.3% for men and 3.1% for women. This demonstrates that the practical simplicity of the novel Tanita method is not associated with a clinically significant decrement in performance relative to a traditional impedance device.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2006

Metabolic consequences of body size and body composition in hemodialysis patients.

Small body mass index is associated with increased mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients. The reasons for this observation are unclear but may be related to body composition. This study aimed to investigate the body composition in chronic hemodialysis patients. The difference between body mass and the sum of muscle, bone, subcutaneous, and visceral adipose tissue masses, measured by whole body magnetic resonance imaging, was defined as the high metabolic rate compartment representing the visceral mass. Protein catabolic rate was calculated from urea kinetics. Forty chronic hemodialysis patients (mean age 54.7 years; 87.5% African Americans; 45% females) were studied. High metabolic rate compartment expressed in percent of body weight was inversely related to body weight (r=-0.475; P=0.002) and body mass index (r=-0.530; P<0.001). In a multiple linear regression model, protein catabolic rate was significantly correlated only with high metabolic rate compartment (r=0.616; P<0.001). Assuming that protein catabolic rate in addition to protein intake reflects urea and uremic toxin generation, it follows that high metabolic rate compartment is the major compartment involved in their generation. Consequently, uremic toxin production rate may be relatively higher in patients with low body weight and low body mass index as compared to their heavier counterparts. The poorer survival observed in smaller dialysis patients may be related to these relative differences.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Total body lipid and triglyceride response to energy deficit: relevance to body composition models.

Although the study of human body composition is advancing rapidly, confusion still prevails regarding the molecular-level lipid component. Most molecular-level body composition models are presently based on the overall hypothesis that nontriglyceride lipids constitute an insignificant proportion of total body lipid. A single lipid or "fat" component consisting of triglycerides is thus assumed in most molecular-level body composition models. To test this hypothesis, the present study, carried out in adult rats, was designed to examine two questions: 1) What is the proportion of total lipids as triglycerides? and 2) Is this proportion constant or does it change with negative energy balance and weight loss produced by calorie restriction and increased exercise? Results indicated that with negative energy balance and weight loss there were progressive losses of total body triglyceride and lipid. The proportion of total lipids as triglyceride was 0.83 +/- 0.08 (SD) in control animals, with reductions at 2 and 9 wk of energy restriction [0.82 +/- 0.04 (P = NS vs. control) and 0.70 +/- 0.15 (P = 0.05)] and at 9 wk for energy restriction plus exercise [0.67 +/- 0.09 (P = 0.003)]. Nontriglyceride lipids comprised 2.8% of carcass weight at baseline and decreased to 2.2% by 9 wk of energy restriction and exercise (P = NS). Substantial differences were observed between body composition ratios expressed as percentages of the lipid-free body mass (LFM) and triglyceride-free body mass (TGFM); (e.g., total body water/LFM and TGFM in controls = 72.7 +/- 0.7 and 70.4 +/- 2.2, respectively; P = 0.02). These observations strongly support the existence and importance of nontriglyceride lipids as a body composition component that responds independently from storage triglycerides, with negative energy balance produced by food restriction and exercise.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

Body weight and body composition of male rats following hypothalamic lesions.

Carcass analyses were performed on 160 male rats maintaining reduced, normal, or elevated levels of body weight following lateral hypothalamic (LH), sham (control), or ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions, respectively. Extracted body lipid (ranging from 26 to 738% of the control mean) correlated highly (r = +0.95) with the level of maintained body weight (which ranged from 67 to 191% of control). Neither the nonfat solids (which ranged from 60 to 123% of control) contributed significantly to the variance in body weight (r = +0.01 and +0.06, respectively). Fat thus accounted for approximately 90% of the overall variance in body weight among LH, control, and VMH animals. Consideration of only the LH data, however, revealed a breakdown of this close covariance of body fat and weight. Fat mass correlated significantly with body weight in LH rats maintaining weight 0-12% below normal; but, at maintained body weights below 88%, the correlation between weight and fat in LH rats was only +0.07. Variation in lean body mass then better accounted for differences in body weight. The implications of these observations for existing lipostatic theories of weight regulation are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Discriminant analysis of personality and body-image factors of females differing in percent body fat.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether individuals with high percent body fat can be distinguished on the basis of personality and body-image from those possessing lower levels of body fat. 65 female college students were administered the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire and the Secord and Jourard Body-cathexis Scale. Measurement of height, weight, and skin folds at the triceps and illiac crest were also taken. On the basis of percent body fat two groups of 20 females each (high and low percent body fat) were identified. From discriminant analyses one personality factor and six body-image items were identified which distinguished between groups. Reclassification of the subjects, based upon derived discriminant functions, resulted in 60.0% of the subjects being correctly reclassified from personality data and 100% of the subjects correctly reclassified from body-image data. Body-image appears to be an important factor that can distinguish between individuals possessing high and low levels of body fat.

Body Height↗

PubMed2026

Genome-wide association study of body weight and body size traits in Langya hens.

Langya chicken is a Chinese indigenous chicken breed with high genetic diversity. To systematically analyse the genetic basis of body size traits, eight traits (including BW, comb shape, and body size) of 2 952 Langya hens were measured at 130 days of age and at first egg of age. A total of 9 708 856 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained through whole-genome resequencing and used for subsequent genetic parameter estimation and genome-wide association study (GWAS). The results of genetic parameter analysis revealed significant differences in the SNP heritability of different body size traits, with an overall range of 0.13-0.64. In particular, BW, comb length, comb height, and tibia length exhibited moderate-to-high heritability (0.34-0.64) during both developmental stages. GWAS revealed significantly associated SNP loci distributed across multiple chromosomal regions, indicating that body size traits have a complex multilocus genetic regulatory structure and that some chromosomal regions recur for different body size traits and during different developmental stages, showing potential pleiotropic effects or shared genomic regions. Notably, multiple stable body size trait-associated regions were identified on Gallus gallus autosome (GGA) 1, 4, and 27, including genomic regions on GGA1 (167.56-178.18 Mb), GGA4 (68.24-81.17 Mb), and GGA27 (5.22-6.73 Mb), in which significantly associated signals were repeatedly detected for multiple body size traits, such as BW and tibia length. The significant SNPs in the above regions were characterised by strong linkage disequilibrium and were associated with multiple body size traits, indicating that these SNPs may serve as important genetic hotspots for the regulation of chicken body shape and structure. Candidate genes annotated in these core regions include NCAPG, KPNA3, LDB2, PPARGC1A, FNDC3A, SOST, RB1, STON2, and TARP; the functions of these genes are involved mainly in the regulation of cell proliferation, energy metabolism, bone development, and tissue growth. NCAPG was consistently associated with multiple traits at both developmental stages. Functional enrichment analysis further revealed that these candidate genes were significantly enriched in the phosphatidylinositol, GnRH, energy metabolism, skeletal development and protein biosynthesis signalling pathways. The genetic characteristics of Langya chicken body size traits during the growth stage at the genome-wide level and the underlying molecular mechanisms were systematically revealed in this study. The findings provide important candidate gene resources and a theoretical basis for the screening of molecular markers for body size traits and the genomic breeding of regional chicken breeds.

Candidate genes↗

PubMed1990

Cell body and flagellar agglutinins in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: the cell body plasma membrane is a reservoir for agglutinins whose migration to the flagella is regulated by a functional barrier.

Fertilization in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is initiated when gametes of opposite mating types adhere to each other via adhesion molecules (agglutinins) on their flagella. Adhesion leads to loss of active agglutinins from the flagella and recruitment of new agglutinins from a pool associated with the cell body. We have been interested in determining the precise cellular location of the pool and learning more about the relationship between agglutinins in the two domains. In the studies reported here we describe methods for purification of mt+ cell body agglutinins by use of ammonium sulfate precipitation, chromatography (molecular sieve, ion exchange, and hydrophobic interaction), and sucrose gradient centrifugation. About 90% of the total agglutinins were associated with the cell body and the remainder were on the flagella. Cell body agglutinins were indistinguishable from mt+ flagellar agglutinins by SDS-PAGE, elution properties on a hydrophobic interaction column, and in sedimentation properties on sucrose gradients. The nonadhesiveness of cell bodies suggested that the cell body agglutinins would be intracellular, but our results are not consistent with this interpretation. We have demonstrated that brief trypsin treatment of deflagellated gametes destroyed all of the cell body agglutinins and, in addition, we showed that the cell body agglutinins were accessible to surface iodination. These results indicated that C. reinhardtii agglutinins have a novel cellular disposition: active agglutinins, representing approximately 10% of the total cellular agglutinins, are found only on the flagella, whereas the remaining 90% of these molecules are on the external surface of the cell body plasma membrane in a nonfunctional form. This segregation of cell adhesion molecules into distinct membrane domains before gametic interactions has been demonstrated in sperm of multicellular organisms and may be a common mechanism for sequestering these critical molecules until gametes are activated for fusion. In experiments in which surface-iodinated cell bodies were permitted to regenerate new flagella, we found that the agglutinins (as well as the 350,000 Mr, major flagellar membrane protein) on the newly regenerated flagella were iodinated. These results indicate that proteins destined for the flagella can reside on the external surface of the cell body plasma membrane and are recruited onto newly forming flagella as well as onto preexisting flagella during fertilization.

Agglutinins↗

PubMed2006

Influence of two-body and three-body interatomic forces on gas, liquid, and solid phases.

Accurate molecular dynamics simulations are reported which quantify the contributions of two- and three-body interactions in the gas, liquid, and solid phases of argon at both subcritical and supercritical conditions. The calculations use an accurate two-body potential in addition to contributions from three-body dispersion interactions from third-order triple-dipole interactions. The number dependence of three-body interactions is quantified, indicating that a system size of at least five hundred atoms is required for reliable calculations. The results indicate that, although the contribution of three-body interaction to the overall energy is small, three-body interactions significantly affect the pressure at which vapor-liquid and solid-liquid transitions are observed. In particular, three-body interactions substantially increase the pressure of the freezing point. Unlike two-body interactions, which vary with both density and temperature, for a given density, three-body interactions have a near-constant 'background' value irrespective of the temperature. Both two-body interactions and kinetic energy have an important role in vapor-liquid equilibria whereas solid-liquid equilibria are dominated by two-body interactions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1975

Long term changes in total body water, total exchangable sodium and total body potassium before and after ileostomy.

In 10 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, total body water, total body potassium and total exchangable sodium were measured both before and 6 months after the establishment of a permanent iseostomy. All 10 patients underwent elective surgery for their inflammatory bowel disease but all were malnourished before surgery when their body composition was first measured. Six months later, when the body composition was again determined, all the patients were in good health and had normally functioning ileostomies. As a group they had gained 6-8 kg in body weight and 372 mEq total body potassium over the 6-month period. When the 'normal' total body water was calculated for each patient, a deficit of 12-4 per cent for the group was found before surgery and this was still present (11-1 per cent) 6 months later. The concentration of exchangable sodium in the body water fell from an abnormally high level before surgery to within the normal range 6 months later. These data show that defictis in total body water occurring preoperatively are not repaired in the months following the establishment of a well-functioning ileostomy, and that a reduction of total exchangeable sodium is present in patients with an ileostomy who are otherwise well. It is suggested that these findings should encourage the surgeon managing patients with intractable inflammatory bowel disease to strive for good nutrition and normal body composition before embarking on excisional surgery and the establishment of a permanent ileostomy.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

A comparison of total body water measurements using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging versus tritium dilution in primates.

Standard techniques conventionally used to assess body composition have various drawbacks which include a requirement for specialized equipment and expertise not widely available, radiation exposure, extensive study time periods, and limited clinical utility. Anthropometric methods, which are more clinically feasible, also involve substantially greater calculation error. This study was designed to compare a newly developed whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique with standard tritium dilution (THO) to measure total body water (TBW) in eight primates (Macaca fascicularis). Sedated primates underwent whole-body MR imaging (10-12 contiguous 50-mm slices) and TBW was computed using a previously validated program. After 5 days to allow for primate recovery and stabilization, TBW measurements were repeated using THO methodology. Linear regression analysis of TBWMRI (72.1 +/- 5.7% body wt) compared with TBWTHO (73.8 +/- 3.2% body wt) yielded a Pearson correlation of r = 0.8145, P = 0.02 with a mean squared error of 2.14. Whole-body MR imaging determination of TBW correlates well with THO, requires less time (20 min versus 24 hr), and does not expose the subject to radiation. This study suggests that whole-body MR imaging is an accurate technique for in vivo body composition analysis. As demonstrated by the body size of this investigational primate model, the technique maybe particularly applicable to the study of human infants.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Cessation from cigarette smoking: changes in body weight, body composition, resting metabolism, and energy consumption.

This study examined the effect of cessation from smoking on body weight, body fat, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and caloric consumption. Twenty-six women aged 25 to 45 years (mean, 37.2 +/- 4.7) who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day for the past 5 years served as volunteers. Twelve subjects abstained from smoking for a period of 60 days (EXSMOKERS). Six stopped smoking for 30 days, then resumed the habit for an additional 30 days (RESMOKERS). Eight subjects continued to smoke for the entire 60 days (SMOKERS). Additionally, 10 women who had never smoked served as nonsmoking controls (NONSMOKERS). Body weight was recorded weekly and body fat was calculated from body density as determined by hydrostatic weighing. RMR was assessed by open-circuit spirometry. Caloric intake was obtained from 3-day food records using a computerized nutrient data base. Group means for body weight, body fat, RMR, and caloric intake were compared using a repeated measures ANOVA with a Scheffe post hoc at day 0 (baseline), day 30, and day 60 of cessation from smoking. NONSMOKERS weighed significantly (P less than .05) more, but were no fatter than all smoker groups at day 0. Body weight significantly increased by 1.8 kg (EXSMOKERS) and 2.1 kg (RESMOKERS) at day 30 of cessation. By day 60 EXSMOKERS' body weight had increased an additional 1.8 kg to 61.6 +/- 6.4 kg, while return to smoking (RESMOKERS) resulted in a 3.1 kg loss of body weight to 57.9 +/- 7.9 kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Body image and body change methods in adolescent boys. Role of parents, friends and the media.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines sociocultural influences affecting both body image and body change methods in adolescent boys. METHODS: Twenty boys in grade 7 (aged 12-13) and twenty boys in grade 9 (aged 14-15) were individually interviewed. The influence of parents, siblings, friends and the media on both body image and body change methods was evaluated. RESULTS: For approximately a third of the boys, parents, siblings, friends and the media were perceived to have at least some influence over boys' feelings about their bodies and body change methods. In particular, feedback from mothers and female friends were viewed as having a positive impact on boys' body image whereas feed-back from fathers and male friends was viewed as more important in influencing body change methods. The media was also viewed as contributing to boys' body satisfaction but it was seen to encourage greater exercise to alter body size and shape. CONCLUSION: The differences and similarities between the sociocultural messages received by males and females are discussed. The implication of these findings in fostering better health among adolescent males are explored.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Body fat distribution and body composition during GnRH agonist therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effects of GnRH agonist therapy on body composition (lean and fat mass components) and body fat distribution. METHODS: Fifteen women with uterine leiomyomas were given a GnRH agonist (leuprorelin acetate, 3.75 mg) monthly for 4 months. Weight, height, and body mass index (BMI, weight/height) were recorded. Regional and total body composition, trunk-leg fat ratio, bone mineral density of the lumbar spine (L2-L4), and total body were assessed by whole-body scanning with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry before and after treatment. Uterine volume was measured by transabdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: The mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) lean mass of total body, trunk, and leg decreased significantly (36.3 +/- 4.9 to 35.4 +/- 4.4 kg, P <.01; 18.8 +/- 2.8 to 18.1 +/- 2.8 kg, P <.05; and 11.4 +/- 1.8 to 11.1 +/- 1.6 kg, P <.05; respectively), whereas body fat mass, percentage of body fat, and trunk fat mass increased significantly (20.8 +/- 4.8 to 21.8 +/- 4.6 kg, P <.01; 34.9 +/- 5.9 to 36.5 +/- 5.2%, P <.01; and 8.6 +/- 3.0 to 9.3 +/- 3.0 kg, P <.01; respectively). Trunk-leg fat ratio increased significantly (1.03 +/- 0.32 to 1.12 +/- 0.33, P <.05). Weight, BMI, arm tissue composition (lean and fat mass components), and leg fat mass did not change during 4 months of GnRH agonist therapy. Bone mineral density and uterine volume decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Hypogonadism by GnRH agonist therapy induces lean mass loss, increased adiposity overall, and upper body fat accumulation.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2002

Body shape preference and body satisfaction in Taiwanese college students.

This study examined differences in measures of perception of body shape and body satisfaction among 25 male and 165 female undergraduates. The students completed a body image questionnaire, comprised of four parts: (1) anthropometric data; (2) figure rating scale; (3) cognitive attitude toward body size; and (4) satisfaction with body characteristics. This study found that male ratings of the Ideal figure, the figure of how they currently thought they looked, and the figure of how they felt most of time were almost identical, as were the figure of what they thought most attractive to women and the figure of how they thought others saw them. On the contrary, female ratings of the Ideal figure were significantly thinner than their perception of their current figure, the figure as others saw them, and the figure they felt most of time. Furthermore, the female figure that women rated as most attractive to males was thinner than the figure that males actually preferred. On the other hand, male judgments of the male figure most attractive to females were heavier than female ratings of the same. Both males and females erred in estimating what the opposite sex would find attractive. Males overestimated and females underestimated the body size attractive to the other sex. Although over half of the male and female subjects reported their body size as 'In-between', more males wanted to gain weight and more females wanted to lose weight to present their Ideal body shape. Furthermore, males were biased toward being satisfied with their body and females were biased toward being dissatisfied with their body. Additionally, the number of females satisfied with hands and dissatisfied with upper thighs and buttocks was higher than that of males.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Prospective evaluation of body weight and body fat distribution in early postmenopausal women with and without hormonal replacement therapy.

AIMS: In order to assess the effects of menopause and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) on body weight and body fat distribution (determined by dual energy X-ray), early postmenopausal women were given either oral calcium (500 mg/day, control group, n=13) or HRT, a combination of estradiol valerate (EV, 2 mg/day for 21 days) with cyproterone acetate (CPA, 1 mg/day in the last 10 days of the treatment cycle, n=18; Climen, Schering). RESULTS: There were no differences in basal body weight and body fat distribution in the two groups before the study. In control group, a significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight (from 63.5+/-2.0 to 68.7+/-2.0 kg after 36 months) paralleled a shift to a prevalent central, android fat distribution with a slight but significant (P<0.05) increase in total body fat mass (from 23.4+/-2.1 to 29.1+/-2.1 kg), an increase in trunk (from 10.1+/-0.4 to 12.7+/-0.4 kg, P<0.05), arms (from 2.4+/-0.2 to 2.9+/-0.2 kg, P<0.05) and legs (from 6.5+/-0.4 to 7.8+/-0.4 kg, P<0.05) fat. In the HRT group total body bone mineral showed a significant increase (from 1086+/-21 to 1128+/-19 mg/cm(2), P<0.05) increase after 36 months, with no significant increase in body weight (from 62.6+/-1.8 to 65.0+/-1.9 kg), and no modifications in trunk (from 10.0+/-0.2 to 10.1+/-0.2 kg) and arms (from 2.4+/-0.1 to 2.6+/-0.1 kg) fat, but a significant increase in legs fat (from 6.9+/-0.3 to 9.9+/-0.4 kg, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Present results demonstrate that menopause is associated with an accelerated increase in body weight and body fat, with a prevalent central, android fat distribution, that can be counteracted at least in part by oral HRT.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗