Healthy elderly individuals do not inevitably lose bone density and weight as they age

There have been relatively few extended longitudinal studies of bone mineral density (BMD) and anthropometric characteristics in the elderly. We recorded baseline measurements (height, weight, body mass index (BMI)) and BMD in 292 relatively healthy individuals (mean age: 75 years females, 76 years males) who were followed up over 8 years. At baseline, a significant inverse relationship was noted between increasing age and BMD at the neck of femur in both sexes. In female subjects, baseline age was inversely related to BMD at the total hip site. There was a significant positive relationship between baseline weight/BMI in both sexes and BMD at the total hip and neck of femur. Weight and BMI were positively related to BMD at the spine in female participants. After a mean follow-up period for males and females of 7.6 and 8.0 years, respectively, there was a significant fall in height for male and female subjects although weight and BMI did not significantly vary in either sex. Follow-up hip BMD fell marginally but significantly in female subjects only. A significant relationship existed between change in hip BMD and change in weight in females. Measurements of the neck of femur did not change significantly on follow-up in either sex. While cross-sectional measurements show weight and age are related to bone density in elderly people, longitudinal evaluation over 8 years failed to demonstrate consistent reductions in males and females. In addition, there was good maintenance of BMD at most sites.