Related Experiment Videos
The effect of behavioural risk factors on osteoporosis in Irish women
N M Cummins1, P M Jakeman, I Sestak
14i Centre for Interventions in Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, National Technological Park, Limerick, Ireland. niamh.cummins@ul.ie
Background:
Osteoporosis constitutes a major public health concern and its underlying pathogenesis is complex and multifactorial. Although hereditary factors strongly contribute to bone health, behavioural factors can modulate the genetically determined pattern of skeletal modelling and remodelling.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect(s) of behavioural risk factors on osteoporosis in Irish women.
Methods:
Pre- and post-menopausal adult women (n = 189; 44 ± 15 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle data were collected during a single clinic visit. Dietary calcium intake and lifetime physical activity (PA) were assessed for each subject. Lumbar and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multivariate analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of low BMD.
Results:
Low BMD was present in 59% of subjects (42% pre- and 77% post-menopausal). Smoking was the strongest behavioural predictor of lumbar and femoral BMD. Age, height, family history, smoking, metabolic (MET) and mechanical (MECH) PA (lifetime) and weight (body mass) accounted for 39% of the variance in lumbar BMD. Age, height, family history, alcohol consumption, MET and MECH PA (lifetime) and weight accounted for 41% of the variance in femoral BMD.
Conclusions:
Prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis is high in Irish women and is associated with modifiable risk factors. A clearer focus should be paid to educate Irish women on preventative health behaviours for osteoporosis to curb the prevalence of this disease and the human and fiscal costs associated with it.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:40Bone Remodeling
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:20Study Designs in Epidemiology
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies.
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...