Influence of weight and body fat distribution on bone density in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether obesity or body fat distribution induces a greater modification on bone remodeling biochemistry (BRB) and bone density in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
One hundred and thirteen postmenopausal patients were studied. They were initially divided according to body mass index (BMI), and afterwards by waist-hip ratio (WHR) as well as combinations of the two factors. Hormone measurements and assessments of BRB were also done. Dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry from the lumbar column and hip was performed with Lunar DPXL equipment, and the standard deviation in relation to young adult (T) and age-matched subjects (Z) was calculated. Statistical analysis was done by the Mann-Whitney U test. The relation of BMI and WHR with the variables was calculated by simple regression analysis.


RESULTS
When divided according to BMI, there was greater bone density in the femoral neck in those with normal weight. After dividing according to WHR, the Z scores had a trend to a lesser decrease in those with upper level body fat distribution. Divided according to BMI and WHR, obese patients with upper-level body fat distribution had greater bone density in the lumbar column than those with normal weight and lower-level body fat distribution. With the same WHR, those with normal weight had greater bone density than those who were obese.


CONCLUSIONS
A beneficial effect of upper-level body fat distribution on bone density was found. It is greater than that from obesity alone, and obesity and upper-level body fat distribution have an additive effect on bone density.
Center for the Study of the Climacteric and Osteoporosis (CECLIOS), Hospital de México, Mexico City.
A
A
Murillo-Uribe
S
S
Carranza-Lira
N
N
Martínez-Trejo
J
J
Santos-González
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000150:complications