Soy as an Innovative Dietary Component in Abdominal Obesity Management Amongst Peri- and Early Menopausal Women

Obesity is a leading risk factor for many chronic diseases in the USA. Abdominal fat, specifically visceral fat is metabolically active and can be detrimental to health. Abdominal obesity is especially high in postmenopausal women (prevalence rates 50- 70%) in whom estrogen deficiency may lead to accumulation of excess visceral fat. Although estrogen replacement therapy is effective in preventing visceral fat accumulation, its adverse effects warrant a search for a safer phytochemical that exerts estrogenic properties. Soy, containing isoflavones (estrogen-like compounds), is a promising dietary component in reducing abdominal obesity in menopausal women. The favorable effects of isoflavones were already demonstrated in animal studies.The effects of soy compounds as a dietary component in preventing and reducing abdominal obesity and its associated metabolic abnormalities will be examined among menopausal Women. We will use quantitative magnetic resonance spectroscopy/imaging (qMRS/I) to determine dose and effects of soy supplementation for preventing and treating abdominal adiposity. The results from this study will shed light on the application of soy as a novel dietary approach in preventing and managing abdominal obesity among peri- and early menopausal women.

Inclusion criteria

• Between the ages of 45 and 60
• experiencing irregular menses along with one or more other symptoms of menopause including: vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, mood changes, increased abdominal/belly fat, or with cessation of menstrual cycle for no more than three years
• having a BMI greater than 25
• Waist circumference greater than 88 cm
• having the ability to understand study procedures and to comply with them for the entire length of the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Have ever been diagnosed with cancer
• Have tumors in the reproductive system
• Allergies to soy or milk protein
• Have known metabolic disorders that may affect body weight and body composition (e.g., hypercortisolism and hypothyroidism, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
• Are receiving hormone replacement therapy or estrogen-like remedy
• Are taking medications (e.g., thyroid, cortisol/cortisone, ephedra, thermogenics, etc) within 30 days prior to the start of the study.
• Are emotional or uncontrolled eaters as measured by a brief screening tool Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), i.e., 3 "yes" to the three emotional eating questions or 2 "yes" to the 2 uncontrolled eating questions.