John O. Davies-Cole, PhD, MPH¹, Gebreyesus Kidane, PhD, MPH¹, and Garret Lum, MPH². (1) Bureau of Epidemiology and Health Risk Assessment, District of Columbia Department of Health, 825 North Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20002, 202-442-9138, john.davies-cole@dc.gov, (2) Bureau of Epidemiology and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Health, 825 North Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Background: Women who have had a hysterectomy frequently complain of weight gain, particularly around the waist. This weight gain is believed to be tied to an excess of androgens, and a relative decrease in estrogen.

Objective: The relation of hysterectomy to weight gain was examined in child bearing and post-menopausal women in the District of Columbia.

Methods: The District of Columbia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey of 1996-2001 were analyzed using SUDAAN software, and statistical rates weighted to the population’s characteristics. Multivariate analysis was used to compare obesity in women of childbearing age and older women who have had a hysterectomy.

Results: The prevalence of obesity among females who have had a hysterectomy and those with an intact uterus was 31% and 19.5 % respectively. The relative risk (RR) of females who have had a hysterectomy was 1.44 compared with 1.30 for those who have not had a hysterectomy. The prevalence of obesity in child bearing women, aged 18-44 years who have had a hysterectomy was 43.3%. This is higher than the rate for post menopausal women, 45+ years old, who have had a hysterectomy (Prevalence rate = 30.6%), and those with an intact uterus (16.1% for 18-44 years and 24.9% for 45+ years respectively).

Conclusion: The best way to manage weight gain that is due to hormonal imbalance is to address the source of the problem. Intervention measures to control obesity in women should distinguish between hysterectomized and non hysterectomized women.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the relationship between obesity and hysterectomy in women
• Identify other possible causes of obesity in a population
• Assess suitable measures to control obesity in hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.