A community-based survey was conducted during 1995-1997 of factors related to menopausal and other symptoms in a multi-racial/ethnic sample of 16,065 women aged 40-55 years. Each of seven sites comprising the Study of Women's Health across the Nation (SWAN) surveyed one of four minority populations and a Caucasian population. The largest adjusted prevalence odds ratios for all symptoms, particularly hot flashes or night sweats (odds ratios = 2.06-4.32), were for women who were peri- or postmenopausal. Most symptoms were reported least frequently by Japanese and Chinese (odds ratios = 0.47-0.67 compared with Caucasian) women. African-American women reported vasomotor symptoms and vaginal dryness more (odds ratios = 1.17-1.63) but urine leakage and difficulty sleeping less (odds ratios = 0.64-0.72) than Caucasians. Hispanic women reported urine leakage, vaginal dryness, heart pounding, and forgetfulness more (odds ratios = 1.22-1.85). Hot flashes or night sweats, urine leakage, and stiffness or soreness were associated with a high body mass index (odds ratios = 1.15-2.18 for women with a body mass index > or =27 vs. 19-26.9 kg/m2). Most symptoms were reported most frequently among women who had difficulty paying for basics (odds ratios = 1.15-2.05), who smoked (odds ratios = 1.21-1.78), and who rated themselves less physically active than other women their age (odds ratios = 1.24-2.33). These results suggest that lifestyle, menstrual status, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status affect symptoms in this age group.

The aim of the study was to examine the accuracy of fan-beam dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for measuring total body fat-free mass (FFM) and leg muscle mass (MM) in elderly persons. Participants were 60 men and women aged 70-79 yr and with a body mass index of 17.5-39.8 kg/m(2). FFM and MM at four leg regions were measured by using DEXA (Hologic 4500A, v8.21). A four-compartment body composition model (4C) and multislice computed tomography (CT) of the legs were used as the criterion methods for FFM and MM, respectively. FFM by DEXA was positively associated with FFM by 4C (R(2) = 0.98, SE of estimate = 1.6 kg). FFM by DEXA was higher [53.5 +/- 12.0 (SD) kg] than FFM by 4C (51.6 +/- 11.9 kg; P < 0.001). No association was observed between the difference and the mean of the two methods. MM by DEXA was positively associated with CT at all four leg regions (R(2) = 0.86-0.96). MM by DEXA was higher than by CT in three regions. The results of this study suggest that fan-beam DEXA offers considerable promise for the measurement of total body FFM and leg MM in elderly persons.

The accuracy of total body fat mass and leg fat mass measurements by fan-beam dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was assessed in 60 healthy elderly subjects (aged 70-79 yr). Total fat and leg fat mass at four leg regions (total leg, thigh, midthigh, and calf) were measured with the QDR 4500A (Hologic, Waltham, MA). The four-compartment model and multislice computed tomography scans were selected as criterion methods for total fat and leg fat mass, respectively. Total fat mass from DEXA was positively associated with fat mass from the four-compartment model with a standard error of the estimate ranging from 1.4 to 1.6 kg. DEXA fan-beam tended to overestimate fat mass for total leg and total thigh fat mass, whereas only marginal differences in fat mass measurements at the midthigh and calf were demonstrated (

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a simple, inexpensive and non-invasive measure of bone which has been used in research settings for the prediction of osteoporosis. This review summarizes the current status of the epidemiology of QUS analysis, including its relationship with bone mineral density (BMD), risk of osteoporotic fracture and risk factors for osteoporosis. Although only moderately correlated with BMD, QUS appears to be as strong a predictor of osteoporotic fracture as BMD and may predict fracture independent of BMD. Risk factors for low QUS, including age, menopause, body composition and physical inactivity, seem to parallel those of low BMD. More longitudinal research is needed to confirm the clinical utility of QUS and more experimental and population-based studies are needed to determine whether the etiology of low QUS values is different from that of low bone mass.

Background:The amount of calcium ingested by an individual may affect several chronic conditions, including osteoporosis, hypertension, and colon cancer. However, individuals vary in their ability to absorb the calcium they consume. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine sources of interindividual variation in the efficiency of calcium absorption in women. Design: Fractional calcium absorption was estimated in 142 healthy pre-and perimenopausal women. Dietary habits, lifestyle factors, calciotropic hormones, and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms were also assessed. Results: Calcium absorption values averaged 35% and ranged from 17% to 58%. Fractional calcium absorption was positively associated with body mass index (r = 0.22, P = 0.007), dietary fat intake (r = 0.29, P = 0.001), serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH) 2 D] concentrations (r = 0.23, P = 0.006), and parathyroid hormone concentrations (r = 0.21, P = 0.015). Fractional calcium absorption was inversely associated with total calcium intake (r = Ϫ0.18, P = 0.030), dietary fiber intake (r = Ϫ0.19, P = 0.028), alcohol consumption (r = Ϫ0.14, P = 0.094), physical activity (r = Ϫ0.22, P = 0.007), and symptoms of constipation (r = Ϫ0.16, P = 0.059). In stepwise regression analysis, dietary fat, dietary fiber, serum 1,25(OH) 2 D, and alcohol consumption emerged as independent predictors of calcium absorption, explaining 21.02% of the observed variation. Women in the lowest tertile of the ratio of dietary fat to fiber had 19% lower fractional calcium absorption values than did women in the highest tertile of ratio of dietary fat to fiber (test of trend, P < 0.001). Conclusions:There is a wide range of calcium absorption values in healthy women. The amount of dietary fat consumed relative to dietary fiber appears to have an important role in determining differences in calcium absorption performance among individuals.