Downside of being skinny

That being overweight gives rise to a range of health issues is well-known. Being skinny is on the wish list for many of us. But did you know that being underweight also poses its own share of health concerns? Read on to know more...

Study findings

Research has found that very slim women are much more likely to experience an early menopause. Those who are underweight have a 30 per cent higher chance risk of hitting menopause before they are 45. The study, conducted on 80,000 women also found that the risk tripled if they were underweight, is published in the journal Human Reproduction.
 
Reason being, one theory is that slim women have lower levels of the sex hormone oestrogen, which is produced by fat tissue. Oestrogen levels typically fall in women in their late 40s and early 50s, causing menopause. But if they are already very low however, the menopause will occur at an earlier age. This study furthers evidence of how women who are very slim are just as likely to experience fertility issues as those who are overweight.

Lead researcher Dr Kathleen Szegda said, “Our findings suggest that women who are underweight in early or mid-adulthood may be at an increased risk for early menopause. Up to 10 per cent of women experience early menopause and it is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions such as cognitive decline, osteoporosis and premature death, so these findings have important implications for women and their doctors.”

Expert speak

Do our experts agree with the findings of the study? “Yes, very slim women (BMI less than 18) have a higher than normal risk of achieving an early menopause. The reason being, lower oestrogen levels due to less fat content of the body. Apart from early menopause, reduced fertility is an issue with very low body weight. The low levels of oestrogen disrupt the normal ovarian function, there is also deficiency of micronutrients essential for normal fertility,” explains Dr Manjiri Mehta, consultant gynaecologist, obstetrician, laparoscopic surgeon, Hiranandani Hospital and Vashi — A Fortis Network Hospital.   

Other factors play a role too

Dr Bandita Sinha, gynaecologist and infertility specialist, World of Women, agrees with the study however, states, “There can be many other causes that lead to lower oestrogen levels in the body like chronic diseases, eating disorders, cancers, chemotherapy, radio therapy, etc. Those who are very slim often have infertility issues caused due to lack of adequate fertility hormones.” She adds that menopause if occurs before the age of 40 years, then it is termed as early menopause. In our country, the average age of menopause is between 47 to 50 years, it can be hereditary.

Local demographic

“In my practice, there is a very small percentage which falls in this category, as it happens with extreme exercise, poor diet or eating disorders. Normally, in our set up, women who reach menopause early, have reasons other than low body fat,” says Dr Mehta.

Gynaecologist Dr Suman Bijlani says there is an increasingly disturbing trend of early menopause especially among very thin women. “I particularly remember a very fitness-conscious underweight patient of mine, an IT professional (BMI 17 and had always been that way) who approached me for fertility issues. She had decided to plan her family at the age of 37 and had missed her period, but to our utter dismay, we found that she had hit menopause,” she recalls.
 
In a recent survey conducted by the IMS (Indian Menopause Society), the age of natural menopause in Indian women was found to be 46.2 years, which is way below the figure of 51 years for American and European women, says Bijlani adding, “This means that the Indian woman is likely to reach menopause about five years earlier than her Western counterpart. Premature menopause (menopause before the age of 40) is also far more common in India (about 11 per cent). About 3.1 per cent of women in the age group 30-34 years and 8 per cent of women between age 35 to 39 years have already attained menopause.”