Effect of Diet and Lifestyle on Obesity and Bone Mineral Density Among Women

Abstract

The study objective was to analyze the dietary intake and lifestyle pattern among obese and non‐obese women and to examine the effects of dietary intakes and lifestyle pattern on bone mineral density (BMD) and obesity. The study was based on the sample of 29 women (15 non‐obese and 14 obese/overweight), 20 to 60 years of age. The dietary intakes were measured by 24‐hour dietary recalls, and lifestyle pattern was assessed through the Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire (SLIQ). Body weight and height of study participants were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to total body bone mineral density (BMID), lumbar spine BMD (L1 to L4), and dual femur BMD, as well as percent body fat. The non‐obese group had a BMI between 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2, while the obese/overweight group had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (P 0.05). Average energy intake was 1864 ± 717 kilocalories (kcal) for the non‐obese women, and was 2080 ± 775 kcal for the obese/overweight women (P = 0.44) . Similarly daily intake of protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins (A, B12, D, E, K), and minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium) were similar between the non‐obese and obese/overweight groups (P > 0.05). Dietary intake could not explain the difference in BMI between groups. Both groups had dietary intakes as per the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), except for vitamin D and potassium; both groups consumed about 30% to 50% less than the RDA. The obese/overweight group had a higher mean BMD of 1.26 ± 0.12 g/cm2 compared to the non‐obese group (BMD = 1.15 ± 0.08 g/cm2) (P < 0.05). Similarly, the obese/overweight group had a higher dual femur BMD (1.12 ± 0.12 g/cm2) and percent body fat (42.16 ± 6.17%) compared to the non‐obese group (0.94 ± 0.27 g/cm2 and 29.18 ± 6.29%, respectively). There was no significant difference in lifestyle pattern between the non‐obese and the obese/overweight groups. The lifestyle components did correlate with BMD or BMI. There was no significant correlation found between total energy intake and BMD in the non‐obese group. In addition, there was no correlation between age and BMD in the non‐obese and obese/overweight groups. This study found that the obese group had a higher BMD than the non‐obese group. In addition, BMD was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with BMI and vitamin K intake in the obese/overweight group, but not in the nonobese group. Therefore, BMI and vitamin K intake might be protective factors for bone health among obese/overweight women.