Do Overweight Women Experience More Hot Flashes?

I just came across a recent study of middle-aged women, (1776 multi-ethnic women aged 47-59 to be precise), that concluded that overweight women are more likely to experience hot flashes and night sweats during menopause than women of normal weight.  This finding contradicts an earlier hypothesis that a reserve of estrogen in body fat shields women from these symptoms.  But the study’s researchers now think that excess fat makes it more difficult for the body to dissipate heat.

The study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.