Bone loss associated with a high fibre weight reduction diet in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of high fibre weight reduction on bone density in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Hospital outpatient dietetic clinic and Osteoporosis Screening Unit.


METHODS
Sixteen overweight volunteers who followed a high fibre reducing diet for 6 months, to lose 20% of excess body weight (above body mass index 25 kg/m2), and returned to their starting weight by the end of a further 6 months. Forty-six non-dieting controls, matched for age and years postmenopause, selected from screening unit volunteer register.


RESULTS
Annual percentage changes in lumbar spine bone mineral density, measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were: controls -2.5% (SE 0.5), dieters -4.8% (0.9), 95% confidence interval of difference between groups -0.2 to -4.3% (P = 0.03); femoral neck bone density controls -2.5% (0.5), dieters -2.1% (0.9), 95% confidence interval of difference -1.7 to 2.5% (P = 0.69).


CONCLUSIONS
High fibre weight reduction in postmenopausal women significantly increased annual bone loss from the lumbar spine. This loss was not reversed by weight regain in the second 6 months. Repeated cycles of high fibre weight loss and weight gain may increase the risk of spinal osteoporosis.
Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK.
A
A
Avenell
P R
PR
Richmond
M E
ME
Lean
D M
DM
Reid
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D015519:Bone Density; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D015431:Weight Loss
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004043:Dietary Fiber