Menopause can lead to significant changes in fat distribution, especially the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), which has been linked to various health complications, including metabolic inflammation. A new population-based study emphasizes the importance of health behaviors, including sleeping, eating, and physical activity, underscoring their mediatory role when it concerns VAT's impact on inflammation.
During the transition from premenopausal to postmenopausal stages, women experience increased risks of metabolic disorders due to this shift toward more pronounced abdominal obesity, which can trigger chronic inflammatory responses. Researchers from various institutions conducted this cross-sectional study with 124 Caucasian women aged 51 to 59 over two years, spanning 2018-2020. Health behaviors were evaluated through questionnaires, and metabolic inflammation was measured using GlycA, which serves as a reliable biomarker for systemic inflammation, particularly reflecting the state of metabolic disturbances.
The findings revealed direct relationships between VAT and metabolic inflammation, with VAT levels significantly associated with higher inflammation. Interestingly, the study found indirect pathways where improved eating and physical activity correlated negatively with inflammation through reductions in VAT. Notably, sleeping behaviors did not show similar associations.
Statistical analyses indicate physical activity played a moderator role, where women with lower activity levels demonstrated heightened inflammation correlated with VAT levels. The results showed physical activity mitigated VAT's adverse effects more effectively among active participants compared to their less active counterparts. A significant synergistic effect was also observed, showing how combining healthy eating patterns with higher physical activity levels could provide stronger influences against VAT accumulation and inflammation.
This research contributes valuable insights, offering hypotheses for future longitudinal studies to verify and elaborate on these associations, especially within menopausal populations. These findings add to the growing body of evidence supporting lifestyle modifications as potential interventions for reducing metabolic risks and combating inflammation during menopause.
By focusing on both individual health behaviors and their interplay, this study highlights the multifaceted nature of health during menopause and suggests practical strategies such as increased physical activity and improved dietary practices to help women navigate the challenges posed by this natural transition.
The importance of VAT as both a marker and mediator of health risks emphasizes the urgent need for interventions aimed at managing body composition changes during menopause. With the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, especially among postmenopausal women, this research serves as both a warning and guidance for those aiming to improve their metabolic health as they age.
Concluding, the study reinforces physical activity's role as pivotal not only for weight management but also for inflammatory control, underscoring the necessity for integrated health strategies targeting multiple behavior changes to mitigate the risks associated with menopause.