Effects of Physiological Factors and Lifestyles on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Choi, Yun Hee; Sung, Chung Ja

Abstract

This study was performed to assess the effects of physiological factors and lifestyles on bone mineral density (BMD) in 64 postmenopausal women. Sixty four subjects were selected out of 223 postmenopausal women in Seoul and Kyunggido. The BMD of the lumbar spine (L2 -> L4) and femoral neck were measured dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Subjects were assigned to one of three groups such as normal (T-score > -1, n = 20), osteopenia (-2.5 < Tscore < or = -1, n = 24), and osteoporosis (T-score < or = -2.5, n = 20). Anthropometric measurements and questionares were administered to these women. The mean age, height, weight and BMI were 62.09 yrs, 153.78 cm, 56.09 kg and 23.70 kg/ m2 respectively. The BMDs of lumbar spines (L2 --> L4), femoral neck were 0.84 g/cm2, 0.71 g/cm2 respectively. Years after menopause and age of last delivery of the osteoporosis and osteopenia group were significantly longer than the normal group (p < 0.05). The hours of exercise and outdoor activity of the normal group were longer than the osteoporosis and osteopenia group, but there were no significant differences among the three groups. The BMDs of these two sites were positively correlated with weight, BMI, hip and body fat and negatively correlated with LBM, TBW. These results show there are no consistent effects on bone mineral density, adjusting for age and BMI, of physiological factors and lifestyles in postmenopausal women. Therefore. this study confirmed that one of the most effective ways to minimize bone loss in postmenopausal women would be to maintain an adequate body weight.