Relationship between bone mineral density and body composition estimated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry: Comparison between groups aged 20-39 and 40-59 years

Bone mineral density (BMD) is affected by lean body mass and body weight to various degrees in the course of aging. The attempt of this study is to determine the optimal time to begin prevention of osteoporosis. In this study, female hospital employees aged 20-59 years were divided into 2 age groups, 20-39 years and 40-59 years based on age at peak BMD, and the relations of total BMD, subtotal BMD and lumbar spine BMD to lean body mass and body weight were examined in both groups. Subtotal BMD was calculated by subtracting head BMD from total BMD along with whole body measurement. While persistent positive correlations were found among all factors in the 20-39-year-old group, subtotal BMD and lumbar spine BMD were positively correlated to lean body mass in the 40-59-year-old group. Thus, lean body mass and body weight appeared to exert a profound influence on subtotal BMD in those aged 20-39 years, but lean body mass in those aged 40-59 years. Lean body mass appears to provide the best prediction of subsequent development of osteoporosis.