Relationship of anthropometric measures with bone mineral density in postmenopausal non-osteoporotic, osteopenic and osteoporotic women.

Background and objectives: Body mass index (BMI) has been shown to be a more important predictor of bone mineral density (BMD). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of anthropometric measures including body mass index with bone mineral density in postmenopausal non-osteoporotic, osteopenic and osteoporotic women.

METHODS: In this cross sectional study postmenopausal females between 50-70 years of age were recruited and divided into three groups: non-osteoporotic (n=52), osteopenic (n=69) and osteoporotic females (n=47). Anthropometric measures and bone mineral density were assessed. ANOVA was applied to compare groups while Post hoc Tuckey's test was used for multiple comparisons between the groups. Spearman's rho correlation was used to establish correlations.

RESULTS: Body mass index (p = 0.034) and hip circumference (p = 0.013) were significantly higher in osteopenic as compared to osteoporotic females and waist to hip ratio was significantly higher (p = 0.005) in osteoporotic as compared to non-osteoporotic females. Significant positive correlation of body mass index was found with T-score (p = 0.022) and ultrasound bone profile index (p< 0.001) in postmenopausal females.

CONCLUSIONS: High body mass index is associated with high bone mineral density and reduced fracture risk in postmenopausal females. Increasing age and high waist to hip ratio can also lead to reduced bone mineral density in postmenopausal females.