Obesity and postmenopausal bone loss: The influence of obesity on vertebral density and bone turnover in postmenopausal women

• Published in: Bone (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 8; no. 6; pp. 327 - 331
• Main Authors: Ribot, C., Tremollieres, F., Pouilles, J.-M., Bonneu, M., Germain, F., Louvet, J.-P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 1987
• Subjects: Aged; Bone and Bones - diagnostic imaging; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Bone Mass; Calcium - urine; Calcium-Binding Proteins - blood; Dehydroepiandrosterone - blood; Dual Photon Absorptiometry; Estradiol - blood; Female; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Lumbar Vertebrae - metabolism; Measurement; Menopause - metabolism; Middle Aged; Minerals - analysis; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - diagnostic imaging; Obesity - metabolism; Osteocalcin; Osteoporosis - complications; Osteoporosis - diagnostic imaging; Osteoporosis - metabolism; Postmenopausal Bone Loss; Radionuclide Imaging; Space life sciences; Testosterone - blood; Measurement; Postmenopausal Bone Loss; Obesity; Dual Photon Absorptiometry; Osteocalcin; Bone Mass
• ISSN: 8756-3282; 1873-2763
• DOI: 10.1016/8756-3282(87)90062-7

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of obesity on the postmenopausal bone mass. Bone mineral density, measured by dual photon absorptiometry of the lumbar spine, serum osteocalcin (OC), fasting urinary calcium to creatinine (Ca:Cr), serum estradiol (E2) dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and testosterone (T) were measured in 176 women aged 45–71 years. Women were divided into four groups according to their menopausal status and their weight: 49 perimenopausal, 28 obese perimenopausal, 49 obese postmenopausal. Within each population (perimenopausal and postmenopausal), mean age was the same, only weight was significantly different ( p < 0.0001). For the two groups of postmenopausal women mean interval since menopause (YSM) was the same (5.8 ± 3 and 5.4 ± 5 yr). Comparison between groups revealed a significant effect of menopausal status and obesity on BMD and bone turnover. As compared to perimenopausal women, BMD was lower, OC and Ca: Cr higher only in nonobese-postmenopausal women. E2, T, DHA did not differ between the two groups of postmenopausal women. The results of this study suggest that even moderate obesity can play a protective role on postmenopausal bone loss.