BMI and Fracture Risk in Older Men
Author Information
Author(s): Nielson Carrie M, Marshall Lynn M, Adams Annette L, LeBlanc Erin S, Cawthon Peggy M, Ensrud Kristine, Stefanick Marcia L, Barrett-Connor Elizabeth, Orwoll Eric S
Primary Institution: Oregon Health & Science University
Hypothesis
What is the association between body mass index (BMI) and fracture risk in older men?
Conclusion
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of fracture in older men, particularly after adjusting for bone mineral density.
Supporting Evidence
- Most men in the study were overweight or obese, reflecting the distribution of BMI in older men in the US.
- Obesity was linked to a higher risk of hip and other fractures after adjusting for bone mineral density.
- Physical performance deficits in obese men may contribute to the increased fracture risk.
Takeaway
Being overweight or obese can make older men more likely to break bones, even if their bone density is normal.
Methodology
The study evaluated BMI and fracture risk in a cohort of older men using clinical examinations and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for bone density.
Potential Biases
The cohort was predominantly non-Hispanic white men, which may limit the applicability of the findings to other populations.
Limitations
The study primarily included healthy volunteers, limiting generalizability, and lacked detailed information on weight changes prior to enrollment.
Participant Demographics
Participants were community-dwelling men aged 65 and older, with a mean BMI of 27 kg/m2.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.87–1.25 for overweight; 95% CI 1.00–1.67 for obese I; 95% CI 1.25–3.02 for obese II
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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