During menopause, weight gain is a common occurrence. In certain cases, however, it must be monitored to reduce the risk of associated pathology. In the specialist journal Menopauseresearchers explain that when waist circumference increases, the risk of cognitive decline increases.
Menopause: specific risks linked to visceral adipose tissue
The authors point out that weight gain in the abdomen is explained by the drop in estrogen levels, common after menopause, which can lead to a reduction in insulin sensitivity and an increase in inflammatory processes. Thus, it is common for postmenopausal women to observe an increase in their waist size. “Compared to total fat mass, visceral adipose tissue (the intra-abdominal fatty tissue stored around several organs, including the stomach, intestines and liver) is associated with major health risks, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.warn scientists. They also point out that estrogen receptors in the brain are concentrated in regions involved in executive functions and memory.
What are the links between waist size and risk of cognitive disorders?
In their work, they sought to understand whether certain height and weight measurements could become markers, making it possible to identify the risk of developing certain of these pathologies linked to cognitive decline. More than 700 women, aged 42 to 58, were recruited for this study. All had been menopausal for less than three years. These participants were divided into three groups: those who received estrogen orally, those who received estradiol transdermally, and those who received a placebo. Abdominal fat level was calculated by the waist-to-hip ratio.
Higher waist-to-hip ratio increases risk of cognitive decline in postmenopausal women
According to the study’s findings, women with a higher baseline waist-to-hip ratio performed worse on all specific cognitive tests at the start of the study. “Addressing modifiable risk factors early and regularly is essential to maintaining optimal health and independence in aging women.s, underlines Dr. Monica Christmas, deputy medical director of The Menopause Society. The metabolic and cognitive changes that commonly occur during and after menopause often catch women off guard and are more difficult to manage once diagnosed.” According to her, preventive strategies to adapt lifestyle before menopause can sustainably improve health and reduce mortality.
