Is ethnicity associated with the CVD risk factors and body fat pattern of postmenopausal women?- A comparative study between Hindu caste and Lodha tribal populations

Background: Loss in ovarian function during mid-life results in adverse changes in cardiovascular profile of women. The strength of the association between CVD risk factors and menopause differ by ethnicity since several modifiable factors play significant roles in explaining CVD mortality than differences in endogenous estrogen. India, despite being a multiethnic country, the ethnic difference in body fat pattern and CVD risk factors among postmenopausal women has been less explored. Thus, we intended to study the effect of ethnicity in determining the CVD risk factors and body fat pattern among postmenopausal women belonging to rural and urban Hindu caste and rural Lodha tribal populations. The Lodha tribal populations is considered as Particularly Vulnerable Group (PVTG) in this country. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among the Bengali Hindu caste and Lodha tribal populations of the State of West Bengal, India covering three districts namely Howrah, Jhargram and East Midnapure. A total number of 197 postmenopausal participants have been recruited for this study (urban caste 69, rural caste 65 and rural Lodha 63). Data on blood sugar and total cholesterol levels, blood pressure, bone mass, muscle mass, body fat distribution and sociodemographic, reproductive and menstrual history and lifestyle variables were collected following standard protocols. Results Results of MANCOVA shows that ethnicity significantly predicted all the body fat measures and CVD risk factors (except total cholesterol level), after controlling the effects of covariates (age, lifestyle, socio-demographic and reproductive factors). Conclusion The participants of Hindu caste group showed higher incidence of central obesity, while the Lodha tribal group showed higher incidence of hypertension. The caste and tribal population differed significantly in body fat pattern and CVD risk factors and the concomitants to these problems suggesting the interplay between menopause and ethnicity in explaining CVD risk factors during mid-life.