The relationship of total body bone mineral (TBBMC) to anthropometric variables in postmenopausal women, and contribution of chronological age and years since menopause to TBBMC loss

Abstract

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements of total body bone mineral content (TBBMC), fat body mass (FBM) and fat mass percentage (%FM), lean body mass (LBM) and body weight (BW) were performed on 168 normal postmenopausal females. They were matched regarding life style and habits and had body mass index under 30. Their TBBMCs were correlated with these measurements, with chronological age (CA) and with the number of years since menopause (YSM). There was no correlation between TBBMC and %FM and LBM, but there was with BW (p < 0.001). There was a significant and negative correlation (r = -0.453, p < 0.001) between TBBMC and CA and to a higher range (r = -0.697, p < 0.001) with YSM. Menopausal females over 60 (n = 87) presented less bone mass than younger females (n = 81) (p < 0.01). These data suggest that regarding TBBMC, menopausal onset is a more important factor in bone mass loss, which persists rather markedly even during periods of time far from menopause and that TBBMC depends more on BW than on LBM and FM in women.