Characteristics of bone mineral density and soft tissue composition of obese Japanese women: Application of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

We studied the characteristics of bone mineral density (BMD) and soft tissue composition in obese Japanese women using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Eighty-nine women, aged 45–85 years, were divided into three groups according to their body mass index (BMI): a thin group (n = 38; BMI < 21), a standard weight group (n = 31; BMI, 21–25), and an obese group (n = 20; BMI ≥ 25). The mean BMD of the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae and BMD of the lumbar spine, thoracic spine, pelvis, legs, and ribs of the thin group were significantly lower than those of the standard weight group or the obese group (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference in total body BMD was observed among the three groups. There was a significant difference in total and regional fat mass among the three groups (P < 0.05). Lean mass of legs and total lean mass showed a significant difference between the thin group and the obese group (P < 0.05). The results showed that obesity was associated with higher BMD of weight bearing-bones and ribs, high total and regional fat mass, and high lean mass of bilateral legs and total lean mass. We suggest that obesity may contribute to the prevention of bone loss of weight-bearing bones and ribs and muscular atrophy of the legs. Received: Sept. 30, 1998 / Accepted: Dec. 10, 1998