A STUDY ON BODY COMPOSITION AND LIPID PROFILE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

(a)    The interactions between the various physiological risk factors for cardiovascular disease are complex in women, the risk increases markedly after menopause and eventually becomes equivalent to that of men.  This observation has suggested, but has not proven, that estrogens have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease

This study was done to find out the body composition and lipid profile in postmenopausal women of North-West Karnataka, and any variation between them. The present study was conducted in the department of physiology, Al-Ameen medical college, Bijapur. Sixty nine postmenopausal women attending the hospital, Bijapur were selected and divided into two groups. Group-I: 32 Early postmenopausal women (up to 5years of postmenopausal duration) Group-II: 37 Late postmenopausal women (> 5years of postmenopausal duration). Then physical parameters noted and venous blood sample drown to determine lipid profile in semi auto analyzer. The BMI matched obese postmenopausal women, had significantly higher, WC, WHR and intra-abdominal fat volume compared with premenopausal women.  TC and TG were significantly higher and HDL-C was significantly lower in postmenopausal women.  When age matched pre- and postmenopausal women were compared only TC was significantly higher in postmenopausal group. However, older postmenopausal women (>50years) had significantly higher WC and WHR compared with younger postmenopausal women (<50years). In healthy women, during the time from premenopausal to first year Postmenopausal examinations, the changes in LDL-C, TG, and BMI were larger than those between first and fifth year Postmenopausal examinations