Joint Influence of Fat and Lean Body Composition Compartments on Femoral Bone Mineral Density in Premenopausal Women

Abstract

Body composition (fat and lean compartments) and bone mineral density were measured in 246 healthy premenopausal women, aged 20-40 years, residing in Tecumseh, Michigan. Body composition was measured using four-point bioelectrical impedance and values for fat and lean compartments categorized into tertiles. Additionally, each woman was classified into one of nine different cells based on her location within a 3 x 3 table which reflects the joint distribution of both fat and lean compartments. Bone mineral density of the proximal femur, including the femoral neck and trochanter, was measured using dual photon densitometry. The mean femoral neck bone mineral density values increased significantly and linearly for each tertile of muscle mass (0.90, 0.95, and 1.02 g/cm2, p less than 0.0002). Femoral bone mineral density increased significantly but not linearly as the fat compartment progressed from the lowest to the highest tertile (0.95, 0.93, and 0.99 g/cm2). Bone mineral density of the proximal femur was similar and significantly greater in the high muscle/low fat and high muscle/high fat body composition subgroups compared with bone mineral density in the seven other groups. However, women in the high muscle/low fat subgroup had substantially lower mean weight (67 vs. 91 kg, p less than 0.0001) and mean Quetelet index (22.1 vs. 33.7 kg/m2, p less than 0.0001) than women in the high muscle/high fat subgroup. Bone mineral density values were similar and significantly lower in the following body composition cells: low muscle/low fat, low muscle/medium fat, and low muscle/high fat. Similar findings were observed at the trochanteric site. Low muscle is a risk factor for low bone mineral density in young adult women while higher fat is protective only when associated with substantial muscle.

Osteopenia: a common aspect of Fabry disease. Predictors of bone mineral density

“…The present finding that low body weight is a risk factor for low BMD is in agreement with studies in healthy individuals. [15][16][17][18] This is partly explained by a greater body size and bone size in heavier patients. Also, mechanical stress on bone is greater in obese than in lean individuals.…”

Bone density in sheep: genetic variation and quantitative trait loci localisation

“…Body weight and fat and muscle components are also correlated with BD in humans [40,41] and mice [42]. Sowers et al [43] found that lean mass was associated with BD independent of fat mass, whereas fat mass was only associated with BD in the presence of high lean mass. In contrast, Reid et al [44] showed associations between BD and fat mass, but not lean mass.…”

Effect of Timing of Meal Intake after Squat Exercise Training on Bone Formation in the Rat Hindlimb.

“…Multiple regression analysis revealed LBM and regional muscle mass to be a better predictor of bone mass (8,9). In either case, there has been a significant correlation between body composition and bone mass (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”

“…Bone mass has been demonstrated to be affected by body composition (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Some investigators revealed body fat mass to be a good predictor of bone mass in subjects who are older, have a greater percentage of fat, and are physically inactive (5,10,11).…”