Risk factors for bone mineral density at the calcaneus in 40-59 year-old male workers: a cross-sectional study in Korea.
BACKGROUND
Few epidemiologic studies have attempted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis in middle-aged Asian men. We performed this study to determine the prevalence and risk factors of osteopenia and osteoporosis in this population.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to July, 2004. The subjects were 2,073 males aged from 40 to 59 years in the KHNP (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power) workplace-based cohort. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by peripheral, dual-energy, X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the calcaneus. Anthropometric and lifestyle factors were investigated using a standard, self-reported questionnaire.


RESULTS
BMD was 0.60 +/- 0.09 g/cm2 (mean +/- standard deviation) and was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.18, P < 0.001), but positively correlated with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; r = 0.15, P < 0.001), body fat (r = 0.10, P < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.35, P < 0.001), height (r = 0.26, P < 0.001), and weight (r = 0.43, P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, the independent determinants associated with BMD were increasing age (coefficient = -0.002, P < 0.001), physical activity (< or = 2/week vs. > or = 3/week; coefficient = 0.017, P < 0.001), WHR (coefficient = -0.796, P < 0.001), body mass index (BMI; coefficient = 0.023, P < 0.001) and smoking status (never vs. ever; coefficient = -0.018, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that BMD of the calcaneus is correlated negatively with exposure to smoke and increased WHR, but positively with regular exercise and increased BMI.
Seo
Hyun-Ju
HJ
Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Korea University, 126-1, 5-ka, Anam-dong, Sungbuk-Gu, Seoul, 136-705, Korea. shj5th@korea.ac.kr
Kim
Soo-Geun
SG
Kim
Chong-Soon
CS
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D000886:Anthropometry; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D017132:Workplace
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution