This study examines the impact of nutritional status, classified by body mass index, on sex specific fat distribution patterns dependent on menopausal status in 467 pre-, peri- or postmenopausal females. Absolute and relative amounts of upper and lower body fat were estimated by means of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. It was found that low weight, independent of menopausal status, leads to the typical gynoid pattern of fat distribution while excess weight and obesity result in the android pattern of distribution in pre- and postmenopausal women.