Traversing the menopause: changes in energy expenditure and body composition.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing physiological mechanisms and observational findings without systematic review methodology.
What was done
This review synthesized published cross-sectional and longitudinal research, including data from the authors' laboratory, regarding changes in total daily energy expenditure (resting metabolic rate and physical activity energy expenditure), body composition, and body fat distribution across the menopause transition.
What was found
The abstract reports directional findings without specific numerical values or statistical estimates. Loss of ovarian function is linked to reductions in resting metabolic rate (attributable mainly to loss of fat-free mass) and significant decreases in physical activity energy expenditure. Longitudinal evidence showed significant increases in fat mass and an accelerated accumulation of abdominal adipose tissue, which was reported to be prevented by hormone replacement therapy.
Why it matters
It outlines the metabolic alterations—specifically the decline in energy expenditure and shift toward abdominal adiposity—that likely contribute to increased cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk following menopause.
Limits
The abstract provides no sample sizes, specific numerical estimates, or confidence intervals. As a narrative review rather than a systematic review, study selection criteria and risk of bias are not reported, and the authors note that existing cross-sectional data on body mass index and fat mass remain inconclusive.
Cited by
- context Basal metabolic rate and total energy expenditure on average do not change significantly due to menopause itself.