Korean J Fam Med.  2019 Mar;40(2):100-105. 10.4082/kjfm.17.0082.

Association between Body Fat and Bone Mineral Density in Normal-Weight Middle-Aged Koreans

• Kim DH
• Lim H
• Chang S
• Kim JN
• Roh YK
• Choi MK

• KMID: 2447087
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.17.0082

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis and osteopenia are characterized by reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. Although the risk of fractures is higher in underweight people than in overweight people, the accumulation of body fat (especially abdominal fat) can increase the risk of bone loss. This study aimed to evaluate the association between body fat percentage and BMD in normal-weight middle-aged Koreans.
METHODS
This study included 1,992 adults (mean age, 48.7 years; 52.9% women). BMD and body fat were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multiple linear regression analyses and analysis of covariance were used to assess the association between BMD and body fat. Body fat percentage was grouped by cut-off values. The cut-off values were 20.6% and 25.7% for men with a body mass index of 18.5-22.9 kg/m2, while the cut-off values were 33.4% and 36% for women.
RESULTS
Body fat percentage tended to be negatively associated with BMD. Increased body fat percentage was associated with reduced BMD in normal-weight middle-aged adults. The effects of body fat percentage on BMD in normal-weight individuals were more pronounced in men than in women.
CONCLUSION
There was a negative correlation between BMD and body fat percentage in middle-aged Korean men and women with normal body weight. This association was stronger in men than in women.

Keyword

Abdominal Fat; Body Mass Index; Osteoporosis

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Fat
Absorptiometry, Photon
Adipose Tissue*
Adult
Body Mass Index
Bone Density*
Bone Diseases, Metabolic
Female
Humans
Ideal Body Weight
Linear Models
Male
Osteoporosis
Overweight
Thinness