Abdominal Obesity is Associated With Lower Bone Mineral Density in Non-Weight-Bearing Site in Korean Men

This research aimed to investigate the relationship between abdominal obesity and lower bone mineral density (BMD) at non-weight-bearing site in Korean men using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is a nationwide cross-sectional survey. The study population ( n = 5,941) was selected from the 2009-2010 survey. Abdominal obesity in men was defined as waist circumference ⩾ 90 cm. Lower BMD state was defined as having T-score of -2.5 or below. To investigate the association, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Abdominal obesity was highly associated with lower non-weight-bearing site (lumbar spine [LS]) BMD after adjustment (odds ratio [OR] 1.61, 95% CI [1.06, 2.44], p = .026). Also, abdominal obesity was a risk factor for lower LS BMD, especially in age groups of those in their 20s and those over 60s (OR 5.53, 95% CI [1.27, 24.07], p = .023 for 20s; OR 2.19, 95% CI [1.19, 4.02], p = .011 for 60 years or older). Abdominal obesity in Korean men is associated with lower BMD at non-weight-bearing site (LS), especially in younger and older age groups. Further research might be recommended to prove the mechanism or causality.