Racial/ethnic differences in bone mineral density, muscle function and fat mass in young women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/bjhbs.2019.53500Abstract
Background: Racial/ethnic differences in bone mineral density
(BMD) result in increased susceptibility of some ethnic groups
to fragility fractures in comparison to others. Conventionally,
both lean mass and fat mass provide mechanical loading
to the skeleton and increase BMD, however, increase in fat
mass beyond a certain level without a concurrent increase
in muscle mass/strength, is detrimental to the skeleton. The
aim of this study was to determine racial/ethnic differences
in BMD, muscle function and fat mass in 18-30-year-old
women of Caucasian, East-Asian, South-Asian, Hispanic and
African-American backgrounds. Materials and methods: Forty-
six women participated in the study. The visits included
signing a written informed consent and questionnaires to
assess health status, menstrual history, physical activity and
calcium intake. Body composition (fat mass, bone free lean
body mass (BFLBM), and bone mineral content (BMC)) and
total and regional BMD were measured using Dual Energy
X-Ray Absorptiometry, while handgrip test, jump test, 1Repetition-
Maximum leg press test, and bilateral isokinetic testing
of knee flexors and extensors were used to quantify lower limb
muscle strength and power. Results: African-American women
had a higher BMD at the left and right trochanter (p=0.03) and
higher BMC at several sites in comparison to South-Asians
(p=0.02) and Hispanics (p=0.03). South-Asian women had a
higher fat mass (p=0.04) and percent body fat (p=0.003), and
lower BFLBM (p=0.04) and strength (p=0.003) than East-Asians
and Caucasians. Conclusion: This type of research is essential
to identify at-risk minorities and fundamental for creating
awareness, developing ethnicity-specific diagnostic criteria,
and preventative and therapeutic strategies.
Keywords: DXA; Osteoporosis; Body composition;
Premenopausal; Lean mass; Muscle strength.
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