Biomedical subjects

J R Guthrie

Publications and source records attributed to J R Guthrie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Intimate partner violence and health outcomes in mid-life women: a population-based cohort study.

AIM: To investigate the association between experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) and health outcomes measured prospectively. METHOD: Eleven-year prospective study of a population-based cohort of 438 Australian-born women aged 45-55 years at baseline (in 1991). Annual face-to-face interviews measured health status and quality of life; questionnaires on intimate partner physical, emotional and sexual violence and on experiences of childhood abuse completed in year 6 of follow-up. RESULTS: In year 11 of follow-up 233 women (mean age 59.9 SD 2.5 years) were interviewed of whom 62 (27%) reported experiencing physical and/or emotional and/or sexual IPV prior to the 6(th) year of follow-up. In bi-variate analysis a history of IPV was significantly associated with mental and sexual health variables and marital status at baseline and follow-up. Multivariate analysis found that at follow-up after allowing for baseline measures and other co-variates: Frequency of Sexual Activities was lower in women who had experienced IPV (p < 0.05); and negative mood was higher in women with the experience of IPV during the 12 months prior to completing the violence questionnaire (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IPV was a significant contributor to mental and sexual health status measured prospectively in this cohort of mid-aged Australian-born women.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Factors affecting the prevalence of osteoarthritis in healthy middle-aged women: data from the longitudinal Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project.

The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) is greater in women then men. Weight, a factor strongly associated with osteoarthritis, is significantly increased over the menopausal transition. Despite the high prevalence of osteoarthritis, a disabling disease with limited treatment options, there is a paucity of studies in women. The longitudinal phase of the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project, is a population-based prospective study of 438 Australian born women who have been followed annually over 11 years. 257 (59%) of these women remained in longitudinal assessment at 11th year of follow-up and 224 of these women agreed to undergo X-rays of their knees and hands. In this study, X-rays were scored for evidence of osteoarthritis using a validated scale, by two investigators who were blinded to questionnaire results. Information on hormone therapy use, physical activity, smoking, BMI and age were obtained by both self-administered and face-to-face questionnaires. Results showed that one hundred and twenty-eight women (56%) had evidence of radiological OA. Forty-nine (21.6%) had evidence of radiological knee OA. One hundred and one (44.5%) had evidence of radiological hand OA. Compared to baseline, at 11th year of follow-up participants had put on weight (4 kg range -14 to 25 kg) and a larger proportion (25% vs. 40%) reported exercising frequently (P = 0.005). Physical activity and BMI were associated with higher prevalence of osteoarthritis in the final year of follow-up. Smoking was associated with a lower prevalence of radiological knee OA. The prevalence was 61% among never smokers compared to only 39% among those who smoked (P < 0.05). Total OA was associated with never having used hormone therapy (odds ratio 2.7; CI 1.1-6.9). There was a trend for increasing level of physical activity at ages 20-29 to be associated with an increased risk of knee OA (P value 0.03 for trend). In conclusion increasing age, BMI and history of more frequent physical activity in younger years were risk factors for radiological knee OA. In contrast, smoking appeared to be associated with less knee OA. Never having used hormone therapy was a risk factor for radiological hand and knee OA. Further work will be needed to determine whether modification of these factors can prevent the development of OA.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2005

Serum C-reactive protein and plasma homocysteine levels are associated with hormone therapy use and other factors: a population-based study of middle-aged Australian-born women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine levels, use of hormone therapy (HT) and other factors. METHODS: A 12-year prospective study of 438 Australian-born women (Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project), who at baseline were aged 45-55 years, had menstruated in the previous 3 months and were not taking HT. Fasting blood was collected in the 11th follow-up year for CRP, homocysteine, estradiol and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Physical measurements and face-to-face interviews obtained information on health and lifestyle variables. RESULTS: A total of 258 women (mean age 60 years) participated in the 11th follow-up year. Multiple regression analysis found that CRP levels were positively associated with body mass index (p < 0.001), HT use (p < 0.01), and negatively associated with statin use (p < 0.005) and exercising (p < 0.05). In postmenopausal women currently not using HT (n = 173) and after adjusting for body mass index, exercise and smoking, CRP was negatively associated with FSH levels (beta = -0.32, p < 0.05). Homocysteine levels were positively associated with smoking (p < 0.001) and negatively associated with HT use (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In middle-aged Australian-born women, HT use was associated with increased CRP and decreased homocysteine levels. High CRP levels were also associated with high relative weight, low exercise levels and no statin medication.

Australia↗

PubMed2005

The menopausal transition: does it induce women's worries about aging?

OBJECTIVE: This study examines whether patterns of worries about aging change in women during the menopausal transition. DESIGN: A population-based sample of 261 Australian-born women aged 45-55 years at baseline participated in a longitudinal study. Data were collected at baseline and in the 5th year of annual follow-up interviews. Measures included the Attitudes to Aging Scale which is based on a scale developed by Kaufert and Syrotuik and contained the six-item version which examines worries about specific losses. Menopausal status was determined by menstrual status as follows: late reproductive, early menopausal transition, late menopausal transition, and postmenopause. RESULTS: Data analysis carried out by cross-tabulation found that 36% of participants did not change their attitudes over the 5-year follow-up period, 30% became more worried and 33% became less worried and there was no significant difference between those who had or had not experienced the menopausal transition. There was no significant association between the scores on the Attitudes to Aging Scale and changes in the self-rated health, work status and marital status. CONCLUSION: The menopausal transition does not induce an overall increase in worries about aging.

Aging↗

PubMed2004

The menopausal transition: a 9-year prospective population-based study. The Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the natural history of the menopause in Australian-born women. To determine the hormonal changes relating to the menopausal transition (MT) and how these affect quality of life, bone mineral density, body composition, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and memory. DESIGN: A 9-year prospective, observational study of a population-based sample of 438 Australian-born women aged 45-55 years at baseline. By the 9th year, the retention rate was 88%. Interviews, blood sampling, menstrual calendars, quality of life and physical measures were taken annually, and bone mineral density was measured bi-annually. RESULTS: The late MT coincides with changes in estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone, and free testosterone index, decreases in bone density and mastalgia, and increases in central adiposity, vasomotor symptoms, insomnia and vaginal dryness. Levels of total testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate are unchanged by the MT. An increase in CVD risk was associated with increases in weight and free testosterone index and a decrease in estradiol. Depressed mood is increased by symptoms and by stressors occurring in the MT. Sexual functioning significantly deteriorates with the MT and aging, but relational factors have major effects. Menstrual cycles became more variable and longer closer to the final menstrual period. CONCLUSIONS: As hormonal changes during the MT directly or indirectly adversely affect quality of life, body composition and CVD risk, maintenance of health parameters in the premenopausal years is crucial for a healthy postmenopause.

Affect↗

PubMed2003

Estrogen exposures and memory at midlife: a population-based study of women.

Estrogen loss after natural menopause is hypothesized to impair episodic memory. A total of 326 women aged 52 to 63 years participating in the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project completed a word list memory task. Estrogen exposures were inferred from menopausal status, time from final menstrual period, use of hormone therapy, serum estradiol concentration, and other indices. Memory did not vary significantly with most exposures. The authors conclude that episodic verbal memory assessed by word list learning is not substantially affected during the menopausal transition or in the years immediately after natural menopause.

Body Mass Index↗

PubMed2003

Serum lipids and memory in a population based cohort of middle age women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation between serum lipids and memory in a healthy middle age cohort of women. METHODS: For 326 women in the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project aged 52-63 years, serum lipids were measured annually, and memory was assessed during the eighth annual visit. RESULTS: There was a small but significant association between current low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations and memory; for total cholesterol (TC) the association approached significance. Better memory was associated with positive changes in TC and LDL-C based on lipid measurements three years, but not six years, earlier. Memory performance was lowest among women in the lowest quartile of current LDL-C values and among women whose LDL-C levels declined over the previous three years. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride concentrations were unassociated with memory. The association between memory and TC and LDL-C was primarily related to immediate recall and not delayed recall performance on the word list task. Low cholesterol has been linked with depression, but lipid measures and self-rated mood were unrelated. CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum concentrations of LDL-C, and relatively recent increases in TC and LDL-C concentrations, are associated with better memory in healthy middle age women. Possible cognitive effects of cholesterol reduction should be considered in future studies of lipid lowering agents.

Cholesterol, HDL↗

PubMed2003

Health care-seeking for menopausal problems.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate and timing of medical consultations for menopausal problems during the menopausal transition and to identify baseline and prospective variables associated with these consultations. METHODS: This was a 9-year community-based study with annual interviews of 438 Australian-born women who at baseline were aged 45-55 years, had menstruated in the previous 3 months and were not using hormone therapy. RESULTS: In total, 387 women completed the 9-year study, of whom 86% consulted a doctor about menopausal problems, with an annual mean of 31%. Of the women, 212 experienced a natural menopause. The prevalence of consultations regarding menopausal problems was a maximum about 2.5 years before the final menstrual period (FMP). The time of greatest prevalence of reporting bothersome hot flushes was 2.1 years after the FMP. There was no significant relationship between number of symptoms reported and time to/from the FMP. Multiple regression analysis found that an increased number of consultations for menopausal problems was associated with the baseline variables: vasomotor symptoms (p < 0.005), rating one's health as 'worse than most' (p < 0.005) and taking two or more non-prescription medications (p < 0.05); and the follow-up variables: dysphoric symptoms (p < 0.05), vasomotor symptoms (p < 0.005) and hormone therapy use (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Nearly one-third of women will consult a doctor annually during the years of the menopausal transition. Those who are more symptomatic with mood or vasomotor symptoms consult doctors more often and are more likely to use hormone replacement therapy.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy↗

PubMed2003

Studying the menopausal transition: methodological considerations.

OBJECTIVE: To document prospectively the menopausal status of a population-based cohort of women. METHODS: A 11-year community-based study with annual interviews of 438 Australian-born women who at baseline were aged 45-55 years, had menstruated in the previous 3 months and were not using hormone therapy or the oral contraceptive pill. Women were interviewed annually in their own homes. Each woman's menstrual history during her transition to menopause was documented prospectively using menstrual calendars. RESULTS: After 11 years of follow-up, the retention rate was 83%. The percentages of the cohort who had experienced a natural menopause at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 11th years of follow-up were 13%, 36%, 51% and 52%, respectively. After 11 years of follow-up, 3% of the cohort had menstruated in the previous 12 months and 18% had used hormone therapy prior to their final menstrual period. CONCLUSION: In studying the normal transition to menopause, the baseline age of the cohort, the length of time available for follow-up, the intervention rate (hormone therapy and hysterectomy) and the number of participants all need to be considered to ensure there is sufficient power for analyses.

Climacteric↗

PubMed2001

Is incontinence associated with menopause?

OBJECTIVES: To estimate (1) the prevalence of urinary incontinence in a population-based sample of Australian women aged 45-55 and to identify the factors associated with urinary incontinence; (2) the incidence of urinary incontinence over a 7-year follow-up period and to identify whether the transition from pre- to postmenopause is associated with the development of urinary incontinence. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 1897 women and a 7-year longitudinal follow-up of 373 of these women who were premenopausal at baseline. Annual interviews and physical measurements were taken in their homes. RESULTS: Cross-sectional: the prevalence of urinary incontinence was 15%; multivariate analysis found that urinary incontinence patients were significantly more likely than those without incontinence to have higher body mass index (odds ratio [OR] 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15, 1.95), have had gynecologic surgery (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.42, 3.32), report urinary tract infections (OR 4.75, 95% CI 2.28, 9.90), diarrhea or constipation (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.27, 3.00), and have had three or more children (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06, 2.05). Longitudinal: during the 7-year follow-up, the average prevalence of urinary incontinence was 18% and the overall incidence 35%. Women who experienced a hysterectomy during the follow-up period had a higher incidence. CONCLUSION: Urinary incontinence in middle-aged women is more closely associated with mechanical factors than with menopausal transition.

Australia↗

PubMed2001

Impaired fasting glycaemia in middle-aged women: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate: (i) the incidence of impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) developed over 5 y in a population-based sample of Australian-born women; (ii) prospectively the factors which are associated with the development of IFG; (iii) the association of the menopausal transition with the onset of IFG and an increase in serum insulin concentrations. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 265 women (110 pre-, 138 peri-, 17 postmenopausal) participants in the longitudinal phase of the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project, aged 46-57 and with normal fasting plasma glucose concentrations at the time of the initial measure, were interviewed, had physical measurements and blood taken annually over a 5 y follow-up period. RESULTS: During the study period 43 women (16%) recorded a fasting glucose concentration of > or =6.1 mmol/l (IFG). Women who recorded IFG prospectively had, at the time of the initial measure when fasting glucose concentrations were normal: higher body mass index (BMI), trunk skinfold thicknesses, waist and hip circumferences (P<0.005), lower SHBG, higher free androgen index and serum insulin concentrations (P<0.05), higher systolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride and lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations (P<0.05) than women whose fasting glucose concentrations remained normal. The onset of IFG was not triggered by the menopausal transition or hormone use. Changes in insulin concentration were associated with changes in BMI (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Women who developed IFG during the menopausal transition exhibited significantly higher levels of body fatness and dyslipidemia, premenopausally, compared with the women who did not develop IFG. The menopausal transition did not have an effect on the development of IFG, but weight gain during this period was associated with an increase in insulin concentration.

Australia↗

PubMed2001

Attitudes of middle-aged women to aging: contribution of the Reactions to Aging Questionnaire.

Attitudes to aging in mid-life have been found to be a predictor of health and well-being. The main purpose of the study was to assess the contribution of the Reactions to Aging Questionnaire (RAQ) to the understanding of middle-aged women's attitudes towards their aging. An additional purpose was to expand the existing information regarding the dimensions of the new version of the RAQ. Middle-aged Melbourne women (n = 381) were asked to complete the RAQ, in addition to another attitudes-to-aging scale (Worries About Aging). Factor analysis of the RAQ was used to explore its dimensionality, and frequencies of responses were used to assess the spread of response of both instruments. The factors extracted in the factor analysis of the RAQ were interpretable and meaningful in terms of emotions related to aging. They were also similar to the factors described by previous data. The RAQ was more effective in its distribution ability than the Worries About Aging Scale. With some modifications, the RAQ may be more informative than was the Worries About Aging Scale in its ability to assess emotions, opinions and beliefs associated with aging in middle-aged women.

Aging↗

PubMed2000

Longitudinal study of risk factors for coronary heart disease across the menopausal transition.

The patterns of change in blood lipids, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, smoking and drinking behaviors, and exercise were examined in an ongoing longitudinal study from 1991 to 1995 of 150 middle-aged Melbourne, Australia, women as they passed through menopause. Changes in risk factors over time were examined with reference to time of the final menstrual period (FMP). Random effects models were fitted with adjustments for repeated measures and other covariates, including age. There were overall net increases between 3 years before and the 3 years after menopause of 0.25 mmol/liter for low density lipoprotein cholesterol, 0.05 mmol/liter for high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), 0.34 mmol/liter for triglycerides, 0.12 kg/m2 for body mass index, and 0.48 mmHg for diastolic pressure. The proportion of drinkers decreased by 13%, that of smokers increased by 17%, and that of women who exercised at least once a week increased by 6%. The only change dependent on the FMP was a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol (counterbalanced by a similar rise in HDL cholesterol in the year before the FMP), and the rate of decrease was maximal around 9 months after menses ceased, with an instantaneous estimate of slope of 0.55 mmol/liter per year.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed2000

A prospective population-based study of menopausal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To identify symptoms that change in prevalence and severity during midlife and evaluate their relationships to menopausal status, hormonal levels, and other factors. METHODS: In a longitudinal, population-based study of 438 Australian-born women observed for 7 years with an 89% retention rate, 172 advanced from premenopause to perimenopause or postmenopause. Annual measures included a 33-item symptom check list; psychosocial, lifestyle, and health-related factors; menstrual status; hormone usage; and blood levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol (E2). RESULTS: Increasing from early to late perimenopause were the number of women who reported five or more symptoms (+14%), hot flushes (+27%), night sweats (+17%) and vaginal dryness (+17%) (all P <.05). Breast soreness-tenderness decreased with the menopausal transition (-21%). Trouble sleeping increased by +6%. The major change in prevalence was from early to late perimenopause, except for insomnia, which showed a gradual increase. Those variables most related to onset of hot flushes were number of symptoms at early perimenopause (P <.05), having an unskilled or no occupation (P <.05), more than 10 pack-years of smoking (P <.01), and decreased E2 (P <.01). The onset of night sweats increased with the change in E2 (P <.05). The onset of vaginal dryness decreased with more years of education (P <.05). Trouble sleeping was predicted by prior lower well-being (P <.01), belief at baseline that women with many interests hardly notice menopause (P <.01), and hot flushes (P <.01). CONCLUSION: Although middle-aged women are highly symptomatic, the symptoms that appear to be specifically related to hormonal changes of menopausal transition are vasomotor symptoms, vaginal dryness, and breast tenderness. Insomnia reflected bothersome hot flushes and psychosocial factors.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Dietary phytoestrogen intake in mid-life Australian-born women: relationship to health variables.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the dietary intake of isoflavone-rich foods in a population-based cohort of Australia-born women, and to investigate whether a high intake of isoflavone-rich foods is associated with health-related variables. METHOD: The study considered a population-based cohort of Australian-born women aged 51-62 years, with interviews, blood and physical measurements taken in their own homes. Food frequency questionnaires included usual eating habits and isoflavone-rich foods. RESULTS: In total, 354 women (98%) returned both dietary questionnaires. Some 222 women (62%) reported consuming isoflavone-rich foods. Soy breads and milk provided the most servings per month. The mean intake of isoflavones calculated from soy beans, soy grits, tofu, soy milk, and soy and linseed bread in the whole cohort was 17 (standard deviation 35, range 0-340) mg/day. Fifty-one women (14%) consumed > 40 mg isoflavone/day. Compared with the rest of the cohort they had higher intakes of fruit, energy, protein, vitamins and minerals; ate a greater variety of vegetables; were more likely to exercise; were less likely to smoke; had lower mean body mass index, waist and hip measures and higher bone mineral density of the femoral neck; and had lower negative mood scores (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Australian-born women in Melbourne have a wide range of intake of isoflavone-rich foods. For those with a high intake it seems to be one component of a healthier life-style. It is thus not possible to assign particular health benefits to the one dietary component.

Australia↗

PubMed1999

Hormone therapy use in Australian-born women: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the pattern of use of hormone therapy (HT) among Australian women, and its side-effects and benefits, and to compare baseline characteristics of HT users with never users. DESIGN: Longitudinal community-based study with annual interviews. SETTING: Melbourne, May 1991-October 1997. PARTICIPANTS: 357 Australian-born women aged 45-55 years who were pre- or perimenopausal and not using HT at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of HT use; baseline characteristics of users and non-users; side effects and benefits of HT use. RESULTS: 151 women (42%) used HT over the six years and 93 (26%) were current users at six-year follow-up. HT users did not differ significantly from non-users in lifestyle, sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors or in most health status factors at baseline. However, HT users were significantly more likely to have had a breast examination by a health professional (odds ratio [OR], 2.60; 95% CI, 1.62-4.17), to have had a tubal ligation (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.09-2.74), to report a history of premenstrual complaints (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08-2.74), to agree that women "regret when their period stops for the last time" (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.04-2.74), and to report that they took non-prescription medications (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.02-2.59). Most (84%) HT users described benefits (most commonly relief of hot flushes and improved wellbeing), while 53% complained of side effects (most commonly weight gain and breast tenderness). CONCLUSIONS: HT users did not differ significantly from non-users at baseline in most characteristics. Long-term follow-up of this cohort is now required to assess any difference in cardiovascular events or other health outcomes between HT users and non-users.

Australia↗

PubMed1999

Prospectively measured levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and the dimeric inhibins during the menopausal transition in a population-based cohort of women.

The aims of this study were: 1) to describe, in relation to the date of final menses, the average hormone levels of women in the years before and after this date and to determine the extent to which these average levels were dependent on age and body mass index (BMI); and 2) to determine the degree of tracking in residual hormone levels [i.e., the extent to which individuals above (below) the mean for their age or time relative to final menstrual period (FMP) and BMI remain above (below) the mean as time progresses]. Serial levels of serum FSH, circulating estradiol (E2), and the dimeric inhibins (INH) A and B were measured annually in 150 women who experienced a natural menopause during 6 years of follow-up. Means of the log-transformed hormonal levels were analyzed as a double-logistic function of time relative to FMP, as well as age and BMI and correlations between repeated hormonal levels, were measured. Mean FSH levels started to increase from about 2 years before the FMP, increased most rapidly about 10 months before the FMP, and had virtually plateaued by 2 years after the FMP. FSH levels were, on average, 3% greater for each year of age and 2% lower for each kg/m2 of BMI. After adjusting for time relative to the FMP, logFSH showed modest tracking. Age-adjusted values of logFSH were moderately correlated across time, and much of this tracking was explained by the actual timing of a woman's FMP. Mean E2 levels started to decrease about 2 years before the FMP, decreased most rapidly around the time of the FMP, and had virtually plateaued by 2 years after the FMP. E2 levels were lower, on average, by about 9% per year of age, and residual values showed weak tracking. Levels of both INHA and INHB decreased, on average, in the years before the FMP and were undetectable (INHA, < 10 pg/mL; INHB, < 25 pg/mL) in the majority of women by the time of the FMP and in almost all women by 4 years post-FMP. Significant negative correlations between log serum FSH and log E2 (r = -0.73) and log INHA (r = -0.41) and log INHB (r = -0.36) were observed. It is concluded that substantial changes in reproductive hormone levels occur within 1-2 yr on each side of the FMP, that falling concentrations of E2 and the INH contribute to the rising concentrations of FSH, and that there is no single reliable hormonal marker of menopausal status for an individual woman.

Aging↗

PubMed1999

Weight gain and the menopause: a 5-year prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate prospectively changes in weight, skin-fold measurements, waist circumference and waist/hip ratio in relation to changes in menopausal status, hormone therapy use and life-style factors. METHOD: The study was a 5-year follow-up of volunteers from a population-based cohort of Australian-born women aged 46-57 years at baseline: 106 premenopausal, 106 perimenopausal and 21 hormone therapy users. RESULTS: Mean (SD) weight gain of the entire cohort over 5 years was 2.1 (5.1) kg. Baseline age was negatively associated with weight change (regression coefficient = -0.4, SE 0.1, p < 0.05). After 5 years, 20 women remained premenopausal, 80 were perimenopausal, 112 had become naturally postmenopausal and 21 remained on hormone therapy. Changes in weight were greater than zero (p < 0.05) in all groups except for the women who remained on hormone therapy. There was no significant difference in weight gain between women who remained premenopausal and those who had a natural menopause. Increases in suprailiac skin-fold measurements (p < 0.05) and in waist circumference and waist/hip ratio occurred in women who experienced the menopausal transition but not in those who took hormone therapy continuously. There was no association between weight change and baseline weight, exercise, alcohol intake or smoking. CONCLUSION: Weight gain was not related to change in menopausal status nor to any life-style factors measured. Women who were older at baseline gained less weight than the younger members. Suprailiac skin-fold measurements, waist circumference and waist/hip ratio all increased during the menopausal transition. Continuous hormone therapy users showed no gain in mean weight, suprailiac skin-fold measurements or waist measurements over the follow-up period.

Australia↗