Relationship between bone density and abdominal visceral fat in premenopausal overweight and obese Iranian women aged 30-50 years.
OBJECTIVE
The presence of a direct relationship between body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density (BMD) is frequently reported. However, data on the relationship between visceral fat and bone density varies, with positive, negative or no relationship having been reported. This study aims to examine the relationship between abdominal visceral fat and BMD.


METHODS
A cross sectional study was carried out on 95 premenopausal, overweight and obese women aged 30-50 years referred to Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2011-2012. Anthropometric indices and visceral fat levels were measured.


RESULTS
Multiple linear regression analysis showed that proximal femur BMD (P = 0.856) and lumbar spine BMD (P = 0.558) were not significantly related to visceral fat level. However, BMI had a direct and significant positive relationship with proximal femur BMD (P = 0.001) and lumbar spine BMD (P = 0.031). Menarche age was negatively related to lumbar spine BMD (P = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, after adjusting for fat-free mass, no significant relationship was found between MBD of the proximal femur and lumbar spine, and visceral fat level or visceral fat to total fat percentage ratio. Therefore, abdominal visceral fat may not affect BMD, independent of weight. It seems that the positive relationship between BMI and proximal femur and lumbar spine BMD is due to the mechanical effects of weight on bones.
Rheumatology Research Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ahmad
A
Salimzadeh
Endocrine and Metabolic Research Center, Obesity Group, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.|Department of Sports Medicine, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam
M
Abolhasani
Department of Internal Medicine, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Moslem
M
Sedaghattalab
Rheumatology Research Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam
M
Moghadasi
D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003720:Densitometry; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007492:Iran; D016014:Linear Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008572:Menarche; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017697:Premenopause; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
bone density; pre-menopause; visceral fat