Results from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) link abdominal fat and high body mass index (BMI) with hot flashes in menopausal women. The SWAN study (developed as a result of NWHN's advocacy) is a multi-ethnic cohort study of 461 women, designed to help increase understanding

of the biological and psychosocial changes that occur during the menopausal transition. Recent findings from the SWAN study show that women who have a BMI in the unhealthy range (e.g., approaching obesity) and increased abdominal fat are also at increased risk of hot flashes. These results suggest that obesity and excess abdominal fat are likely risk factors for hot flashes for menopausal women. Given these results, behavioral interventions focused on reducing body fat to manage hot flashes may deserve further investigation.

Menopause, MAY 2008