Korean J Epidemiol.  2003 Dec;25(2):108-118.

The Association between Bone Density at Os calcis and Body Composition according to Years since Menopause in Postmenopausal Women Aged 45-84 Years Living in a Rural Area

• Shin EK
• Kim KS
• Kim HY
• Hong KE
• Joung HJ
• Cho SI

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This cross-sectional study aimed to compare early postmenopausal women with late menopausal women in respect to body composition as a major determinant of calcaneal bone density.
METHODS
Areal bone density was measured at os calcis with peripheral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Soft lean mass and fat mass were measured using bioelectric impedance in 109 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 84 years.
RESULTS
When age and height were adjusted, the variance of calcaneal bone density was better explained by fat mass (15%) than by soft lean mass (7%) in early postmenopausal women. In contrast, soft lean mass (17%) explained the variance of calcaneal bone density better than fat mass (11%) in late postmenopausal women. However, interaction terms between years since menopause (YSM) and soft lean mass or fat mass were not statistically significant in multiple linear regression model for total postmenopausal subject.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study suggest that fat mass is the major determinant of calcaneal bone density in early postmenopausal women, whereas fat free mass is more important determinant of calcaneal bone density in late postmenopausal women.

Keyword

Bone density; Calcaneus; Body composition; Postmenopause

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Body Composition*
Bone Density*
Calcaneus
Cross-Sectional Studies
Electric Impedance
Female
Humans
Linear Models
Menopause*
Postmenopause