Extreme obesity reduces bone mineral density: complementary evidence from mice and women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of body adiposity on bone mineral density in the presence and absence of ovarian hormones in female mice and postmenopausal women.


METHODS
We assessed percentage body fat, serum leptin levels, and bone mineral density in ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized C57BL/6 female mice that had been fed various calorically dense diets to induce body weight profiles ranging from lean to very obese. Additionally, we assessed percentage body fat and whole body bone mineral density in 37 overweight and extremely obese postmenopausal women from the Women's Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences study.


RESULTS
In mice, higher levels of body adiposity (>40% body fat) were associated with lower bone mineral density in ovariectomized C57BL/6 female mice. A similar trend was observed in a small sample of postmenopausal women.


CONCLUSIONS
The complementary studies in mice and women suggest that extreme obesity in postmenopausal women may be associated with reduced bone mineral density. Thus, extreme obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) may increase the risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis. Given the obesity epidemic in the U.S. and in many other countries, and, in particular, the rising number of extremely obese adult women, increased attention should be drawn to the significant and interrelated public health issues of obesity and osteoporosis.
Núñez
Nomelí P
NP
Laboratory of Biosystems and Cancer, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Carpenter
Catherine L
CL
Perkins
Susan N
SN
Berrigan
David
D
Jaque
S Victoria
SV
Ingles
Sue Ann
SA
Bernstein
Leslie
L
Forman
Michele R
MR
Barrett
J Carl
JC
Hursting
Stephen D
SD
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D016014:Linear Models; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011897:Random Allocation
D020738:Leptin