Vasomotor symptoms precede weight gain in women

Frequent vasomotor symptoms (VMS) appear to be associated with subsequent weight gain in middle-aged women, according to a study.

Researchers used data from the multiethnic Study of Women's Health Across the Nation to examine whether changes in VMS frequency preceded weight changes.

The analysis included 2,361 women in premenopause or perimenopause (aged 42 to 52 years at baseline). During annual visits (total of 12,030 visits over about 13 years), the participants self-reported VMS frequency (hot flashes/night sweats) and sleep problems. Menopause status, weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were compared across visits.

A lagged approach with first-difference regression models was applied to measure the association between VMS frequency and weight gain. Mediation by sleep problems and moderation by menopause status were also quantified.

Increasing VMS frequency across visits was associated with subsequently increased weight (0.24 kg), body mass index (0.08 kg/m²), and waist circumference (0.20 cm). Furthermore, exposure to a high frequency of VMS (at least 6 days every 2 weeks) over 10 consecutive annual visits also correlated with increases in weight measures, including a 3.0-cm increase in waist circumference.

Mediation analysis showed that contemporaneous sleep problems accounted for a maximum of 27 percent of the waist circumference increases. Menopause status did not consistently moderate the observed associations.