Difference in the effect of adiposity on bone density between pre- and postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
Elevated bone mineral density (BMD) in obese women is partially attributable to the higher circulating estrogen levels derived from extraglandular aromatization in adipose tissue. However, it remains unclear whether there is an effect of overall adiposity on BMD in both pre- and postmenopausal women. The difference in the effect of overall adiposity on BMD between pre- and postmenopausal women was investigated.


METHODS
Subjects were 296 premenopausal women with regular menstruation and 233 postmenopausal women. Age, age at menarche, years since menopause (YSM, in postmenopausal women), weight, height, and body mass index were recorded. Total fat mass amount, lean mass amount, and percentage of body fat were measured by whole body scanning with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Lumbar spine BMD (L2-L4) was measured by DEXA. In each group, significant determinants of BMD were investigated using univariate and stepwise multiple regression analysis.


RESULTS
In postmenopausal women, YSM, lean mass amount, total fat mass amount, and height were significant determinants of BMD (R(2)=0.273, P<0.001). In premenopausal women, only two variables including lean mass amount and age at menarche were significant determinants of lumbar spine BMD (R(2)=0.110, P<0.001), but total fat mass amount and percentage of body fat were not significant determinants of BMD.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of overall adiposity on BMD is more prominent in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women.
Douchi
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, Japan.
Yamamoto
S
S
Oki
T
T
Maruta
K
K
Kuwahata
R
R
Yamasaki
H
H
Nagata
Y
Y
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause