[Female obesity in life cycle].

Adipose tissue undergoes aging process as other tissues and both of quantity and distribution of body fat vary with an older age. Obesity in which body fat accumulates excessively is also influenced by aging. For evaluation of obesity, Kaup's index was most correlated with the thickness of fat tissues. Waist hip ratio (WHR) increased with an older age. From the view point of menarche, a role of body fat in reproductive function was evaluated. Ratio of body fat to body weight in the menarcheal age was between 22 and 24%. The ratio of non-menarcheal girls was smaller than that of the menarcheal of the same age. A proper amount of body fat seemed to be necessary for onset of ovarian function to menstruate. On obesity in reproductive age, two topics were discussed. One was the mechanism of menstrual disorders in obese women, the other complications of pregnancy. Concerning the central mechanism of menstrual disorders, hypothalamic disorders cause overfeeding to obesity and gonadal dysfunction to menstrual disorders because feeding center and control center of gonadal system are located in hypothalamus. For the peripheral mechanism, accumulation of fat soluble steroid hormones in the fat tissue disturbs cyclic state of endocrine fluctuation, and extraglandular estrogen production from androgen by aromatase in adipose tissue causes hyperestrogenism. Besides, hyperandrogenism in obese women was stressed on for a causing factor of menstrual disorders in obesity. Hyperandrogenism of obese women with menstrual disorders was associated with high level of cortisol and was corrected by weight reduction to regularize menstrual cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)