Impact of weight-cycling history on bone density in obese women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of weight cycling (as defined by the frequency and magnitude of intentional weight loss) on bone mineral density and bone mineral content in obese sedentary women.


METHODS
Bone mineral content and density measured by DXA, submaximal physical fitness assessment, nutrient intake, oral contraceptive use, and weight-cycling history were assessed in 195 healthy, overweight sedentary women (age, 21 to 45 years; body mass index, 27 to 40 kg/m(2)) before beginning a behavioral weight-loss intervention.


RESULTS
After controlling for body weight, multivitamin use, oral contraceptive/estrogen use, and calcium and magnesium intake, women who had a history of weight cycling did not have significantly lower total-body bone mineral content or density or total femur bone mineral density. In addition, 99% of subjects were above or within one SD of age and gender normative data for total femur bone mineral density.


CONCLUSIONS
It does not seem that a history of weight cycling has an adverse affect on total femur and total-body bone mineral density in overweight sedentary premenopausal women.
Gallagher
Kara I
KI
Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center and Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam and Brown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. kgallagher@lifespan.org
Jakicic
John M
JM
Kiel
Douglas P
DP
Page
Marie L
ML
Ferguson
Erica S
ES
Marcus
Bess H
BH
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D014815:Vitamins; D008274:Magnesium