Bone density of the radius, spine, and hip in relation to percent of ideal body weight in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine (L2-L4) and hip (at femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and greater trochanter sites) were determined by dual-photon absorptiometry (DPA), and of the radius by single-photon absorptiometry (SPA) in healthy postmenopausal women aged 40-70 years. The relationships of BMC and BMD to years since menopause were examined separately in 97 women who were above 115% of ideal body weight (IBW) and in 128 women below. The heavier women had significantly greater mean BMC and BMD at each site than did the normal-weight women. In the normal-weight women, there was a significant negative correlation between BMD and years since menopause at each measurement site except the greater trochanter. In the obese women, BMD decreased with increasing years since menopause at the radius site only and BMC declined with increasing years after menopause at the hip (femoral neck and Ward's triangle region) as well as the radius. Thus, body size is a significant determinant of BMD in this population. The pattern of loss of BMD from Ward's triangle and femoral neck regions of hip are similar to that of the spine. The BMC and BMD findings in the hip suggest that remodeling occurs at this weight-bearing site which has a favorable effect on bone strength.

Risk factors leading to reduced bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients with metabolic syndrome

“…The positive correlation between body weight and BMD in the normal population and in patients with MS in the normal population is widely known. 4,25 However, we did not establish a correlation between BMI and BMD in either of our groups in this study. Certain studies 9,15 demonstrated a positive correlation between BMD and body weight or BMI.…”

The effects of dietary-induced obesity on the biomechanical properties of femora in male rats

“…Rubin and Lanyon 32 have reported that an increased mechanical load resulted in remodeling of bone, and cortical thickness increase in tubular bone of obese adults. 1,3,33,34 The increased body fat and the decreased ash content of cortical bone in DIO rats, may have led to a compensatory mechanism to produce increased cortical thickness and area. A signi®cant positive correlation has been demonstrated between body fat and total mineral content.…”

The impact of obesity on the musculoskeletal system

“…This may also explain why shortly after menopause, obese women do not lose bone as rapidly as their non-obese counterparts. 126,127 A second mechanism relates to the increased mechanical load that heavier individuals place on weight-bearing bones. This is supported by some data suggesting that body size is a better determinant in weight bearing rather than non-weightbearing sites.…”