Low vegetable intake increases the risk of fall-related fragility fracture in postmenopausal Taiwanese women, a prospective pilot study in the community.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the relationship between lifestyle factors including nutrition intake and the incidence of fall-related fragility fractures in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
A total of 1169 female volunteers were recruited from participants at the morning health examinations held at each local public health center in the West Chiayi County of Taiwan at the beginning of the study. Laboratory examinations, anthropometric measurements, and questionnaire interviews inquiring about lifestyle factors, including weekly nutrition intake, were performed. Subsequently, four follow-up telephone interviews at intervals of about 6-12 months were performed to inquire about instances of falls and fractures.


RESULTS
Nine hundred and fifty-three subjects responded at least once to the four telephone interviews, and there were 183 postmenopausal women, with a mean age of 68.8 ± 8.3 (49-87) years, reporting falls. Of the 183 women, 25 had incurred new fractures from low-energy impacts. Statistical analysis revealed that older age and hypertension were associated with increased risks of falling. Intake of other deep-colored (nondark-green) vegetables and light-colored vegetables as well as total vegetable intake were associated with reduced risk of fall-related fragility fracture.


CONCLUSIONS
Among postmenopausal women, older age and the presence of hypertension were associated with increased risks of falls. Increased vegetable intake might be helpful to reduce the incidence of fall-related fragility fractures.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Chu-Hsu
CH
Lin
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Chiayi, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Kai-Hua
KH
Chen
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Chiayi, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chien-Min
CM
Chen
College of Nursing and the Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Chia-Hao
CH
Chang
Division of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Yunlin, Yunlin, Taiwan; Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan. Electronic address: donaldhuang@cgmh.org.tw.
Tung-Jung
TJ
Huang
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Chiayi, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Hung-Chih
HC
Hsu
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Shih-Yang
SY
Huang
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan; D014675:Vegetables / Q000502:physiology
Fragility fracture; Nutrition; Osteoporosis; Taiwan; Vegetable