The Relationship Between Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition Among Qatari Women With High Rate of Obesity: Qatar Biobank Data

Abstract

Studies have reported inconsistent results for the relationship between body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) among women, especially those with a high rate of obesity. This study aims to examine the association between BMD and body composition among Qatari women. A cross-sectional study, using data from the Qatar Biobank (QBB), was conducted on 2,000 Qatari women aged 18 and over. Measurements were taken by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for body composition [visceral fat and android fat (AF)], gynoid fat (GF), trunk fat, total fat mass (TFM), total lean mass (LM) and bone mineral density (BMD), including the lumber spine, neck, femur and total body. The participants were divided into groups of normal and low BMD, based on their T-score. Non-linear regression analysis using the restricted cubic spline method was performed according to the T-score of the total BMD for the fat mass variables. Women with a low BMD (T-score <-1) had significantly lower body composition indicators. LM was positively correlated with BMD at the spine (r = 0.29, p < 0.001), neck (r = 0.32, p < 0.001), and femur (r = 0.28, p < 0.001), as well as total BMD (r = 0.29, p < 0.001) and T-score (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), while the correlatio between TFM and BMD was negative and weak (r = −0.05, <0.017). Results of the non-linear regression indicated that components of fat distribution (TFM, AF, GF and trunk fat) were positively associated with total body T-score. In the adjusted non-liner regression, only a slight increase in T-score was recorded with an increase in FM. The association between FM and BMD was non-linear, suggesting that FM may not be a strong protector of bones among women with high rate of obesity.

Association between lean body mass to visceral fat mass ratio and bone mineral density in United States population: a cross-sectional study

“…Researchers have investigated the relationship between adipose tissue and BMD with inconsistent results. While some studies suggest that obesity may have a protective effect on bone metabolism, as individuals with obesity generally exhibit higher BMD [ 30 ], others present a contrasting view. A positive correlation between abdominal fat and peripheral BMD and microstructure was established in Liu et al‘s study.…”

Ethnic Differences in Bone Mass and Vitamin D status in Young Women Living in the UK

“…In another study, Saudi women were shown to have lower BMD compared to their US counterparts, which the authors suggested was likely due to more pregnancies and longer periods of lactation alongside vitamin D deficiency [11]. In terms of other Middle Eastern countries, the spinal BMD values of Qatari women were similar to those of Saudi women but lower than those of Caucasians [12]. Another study found no differences in BMD between Kuwaiti and Caucasian women at the lumbar spine and proximal femur [13].…”