Title
Bone mineral density and body mass index of Mexican American Women
Publication Date
12-1-2005
Publication Name
Hispanic Healthcare International
Document Type
Article
Abstract
This study was undertaken to determine the associations of descriptive, clinical, and dietary information and bone mineral density among postmenopausal Mexican American women living in a U.S.-Mexico border city. The prospective study included 81 postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 and 76 years. Bone mineral density was performed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine, hip, and forearm. Medical history and physical examination were obtained and participants were interviewed to obtain dietary information. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the data. Ninety-one percent of the participants had low bone mass and it was reported as either osteopenia or osteoporosis in one or more analyzed sites. Osteopenia was identified in vulnerable sites as follows: lumbar spine, 41 (51%); hip, 44 (55%); and forearm, 28 (43%). Osteoporosis was reported as follows: lumbar spine, 26 (32%); hip, 3 (4%); and forearm, 25 (38%). Factors associated with low bone mineral density of the spine were age and use of oral contraceptives. Increased body mass index, milk intake, and coffee intake were shown to protect skeletal integrity of the spine and the hip. Postmenopausal Mexican American women with increased body mass index may be protected against osteoporosis of the spine and the hip. However, 91% of our sample demonstrated low bone mineral density at different anatomical sites. Mexican American women may benefit from culturally sensitive osteoporosis prevention programs. © 2005 Springer Publishing Company.
Volume
3
Issue
1
First Page
9
Last Page
14