Bone mineral density in relation to body mass index among young women: a prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To identify important predictors among lifestyle behaviours and physiological factors of bone mineral density (BMD) in relation to body mass index (BMI) among young women over a 2-year period. DESIGN, SAMPLE AND MEASUREMENTS: Data were collected in 1999 and 2001. Healthy young women (n=152) completed a questionnaire. BMD measurements were performed by DEXA in the calcaneus. The women were subdivided into three categories according to baseline BMI.


RESULTS
Baseline bodyweight explained 25% of the variability in BMD at follow-up in the BMI<19 category, and high physical activity seemed to hinder BMD development. In the BMI>24 category, a difference in time spent outdoors during winter between baseline and follow-up was the single most important factor for BMD levels. Overweight women with periods of amenorrhoea had lower BMD than overweight women without such periods.


CONCLUSIONS
Predictors and lifestyle behaviours associated with BMD are likely to be based on women of normal weight. BMI should be considered when advising on physical activity, since high physical activity seems to impair BMD development among underweight young women, possibly due to energy imbalance. Among overweight women, sleep satisfaction is the greatest predictor associated with BMD change and may indicate better bone formation conditions. Energy balance and sleep quality may be prerequisites of bone health and should be considered in prevention.
Elgán
Carina
C
Department of Health Sciences, Division of Nursing, Lund University, P.O. Box 157, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden. carina.elgan@med.lu.se
Fridlund
Bengt
B
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013851:Thinness / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D016387:Women's Health