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Adiposity is Associated with Menstrual Cycle Irregularity in Young Women
Author(s) -
Natarajan Radhika,
Bertone-Johnson Elizabeth,
Zagarins Sofija,
Gehlbach Stephen H,
Ronnenberg Alayne G
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.819.1
Subject(s) - menstrual cycle , luteal phase , medicine , menarche , body mass index , obesity , physiology , endocrinology , obstetrics , follicular phase , hormone
Abnormal menstrual cycles are associated with reduced fecundity and increased risk of miscarriage, possibly due to altered endocrine function. Obesity influences sex steroid levels and has been adversely associated with menstrual cycle length and pattern. However, existing studies lack accurate measures of adiposity and include older women, whose cycles may be affected by other factors. This study examined the association between adiposity and menstrual cycle regularity in young women. METHODS The UMass Vitamin D Status Study is a cross‐sectional study of 18‐ to 30‐year‐old women. This analysis includes 164 women who did not use oral contraceptives. Women were weighed and measured during the late luteal phase of their menstrual cycle, and percent body fat was assessed using dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS Mean (SD) age, body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat were 21.5 y (3.1), 23.1 kg/m 2 (3.3), and 32% (7.8), respectively; 52% of women attained menarche at or before age 12. After adjusting for age and physical activity, women with 32% body fat or less were nearly four‐times more likely to have irregular cycles than women with higher body fat (OR: 3.7; 95% CI:1.1–11.9). BMI was not associated with menstrual cycle characteristics. DXA estimates of percent body fat—but not BMI—suggest that low adiposity is associated with menstrual cycle irregularity. This research is supported by University of MA.