Associations between life's essential 8 and femoral neck bone mineral density among adults: A national population-based study.

Abstract

Osteoporosis represents a significant public health issue, impacting both health outcomes and economic costs. This research investigates how cardiovascular health, as indicated by the LE8 score, correlates with bone mineral density (BMD). Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2011 to 2018 were analyzed in this cross-sectional analysis, including 9018 subjects following the exclusion of individuals lacking BMD or LE8 data. The LE8 score, comprising factors such as diet, physical activity, smoking status, sleep quality, body mass index, lipid profiles, blood glucose, and blood pressure, was used to evaluate cardiovascular health. BMD was determined through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Relationships between the LE8 scores and BMD at the femoral neck were assessed using linear regression and smooth curve fitting techniques. Enhanced LE8 scores were linked to improved BMD at the femoral neck. Notably, a 10-point increment in the LE8 score was associated with a rise in BMD by 0.04 g/cm² [β = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03-0.05]. The data indicate a strong positive association between cardiovascular health, as measured by LE8, and BMD. These results support the development of holistic health strategies that promote cardiovascular health to potentially improve bone density.