Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis is a multifactorial skeletal disease, whose mechanisms are not fully understood. It is more common in older people, especially in Post menopausal women. Body Mass Index (BMI) is often used to predict Bone Mineral Density (BMD). Obese women have always been considered protected against Osteoporosis and Osteoporotic fractures. Objectives: Several studies have challenged the widespread belief that obesity is protective against fracture. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of BMI on BMD in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 400 women divided into two age groups of 21-50 years (premenopausal) and 51 - 90 years (post menopausal). Subjects having history of diseases or drugs that might influence BMD were excluded from the study. Height (m) and weight (kg) were measured and BMI was calculated. Calcaneus bone was scanned for QUS to measure BMD. The diagnosis of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia were done according to WHO T- score criteria. The whole data was collected and statistically analyzed using Correlation Coefficients and Pearson's Chi Square test. Results: Pearson's correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between age and BMI but no significant correlation between BMI and BMD. Conclusions: The results showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between BMI and BMD (p value > 0.05). According to our results, there is no protective role of Obesity in the development of Osteoporosis. There must be more detailed study in molecular and cellular level to explain the role and influence of obesity on BMD in women.

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