Body weight and physical constitution. Effect of the menopause and hormone replacement therapy

Background. For many women around the menopausal transition, body weight gain is one of the most troublesome physical alterations. Study results. Several studies have confirmed a significant average increase in total body weight during the menopausal transition. Study results acquired by modern imaging techniques have revealed that this weight gain is particularly due to the accumulation of visceral fatty tissue. Furthermore, there are indications that hormone replacement therapy can counteract this increase of abdominal obesity.