Association between total and regional body fat to bone parameters of university athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between total and regional body fat to BMD and BMC among university athletes. Cross-sectional study with 167 university athletes (18–35 years). BMD, BMC, body fat total and android, gynoid, arms and legs, and lean tissue mass were obtained using dual X-ray absorptiometry. In male athletes, BMC presented a direct association with total body fat (β = 0.134, CI 0.606, 2.092), android (β = 1.065, CI = 0.394, 1.735), gynoid (β = 0.059, CI 26, 0.092), arms (β = 1.259, CI = 0.531, 1.988), and legs (β = 0.041, CI 0.017, 0.564). In female athletes, there was a direct association between BMC and total fat (β = 1708, CI 0.585, 2.831), android (β = 1.315, CI 0.488, 2.151), gynoid (β = 0.069, CI 0.026, 0.112), arms (β = 0.996, CI 0.022, 1.971), and legs (β = 0.031, CI 0.004, 0.059). Concluded BMD had no association with total and regional body fat in athletes of both genders. It is concluded that total and regional body fat contributed directly to BMC, but not to BMD in athletes.