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Updated: Nov 24, 2025
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Association between Bone Mineral Density and Nutritional Status, Body Composition and Bone Metabolism in Older Adults
N F Lins Vieira1, J da Silva Nascimento, C Q do Nascimento
1Ana Célia Oliveira dos Santos, Institute of Biological Sciences. University of Pernambuco, Brazil. Rua Arnóbio Marques, n. 310, Santo Amaro, Recife, Pernambuco, 50.100-130, Brazil. E-mail ana.oliveira@upe.br; Telephone number: 55 81 999788103; FAX 55 8131833301.
Purpose:
To identify an association between bone mineral density (BMD) and nutritional status, body composition and bone metabolism in older patients.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study, involving older adults, with osteopenia/osteoporosis and with normal BMD. The mineral density of the lumbar spine from L1 to L4 and the proximal region of the femur was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Biochemical analyzes were performed of 25(OH)-D, calcium and parathormone. Weight, knee height, and abdominal (AC), mid-upper arm (MUAC) and calf (CC) circumferences were measured. The percentage of body fat (%BF) and Fat-Free Mass (FFM) were quantified by electrical bioimpedance analysis. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The statistical analysis used bivariate and multivariate, parametric and/or non-parametric tests, and was considered significant when p <0.05.
Results:
Of the total 51 older adults assessed, 30 of them (58.8%) were diagnosed with osteopenia/osteoporosis. Body weight (p = 0.001), BMI (p = 0.001), % BF (p = 0.030) and serum concentrations of 25(OH)-D (p = 0.003) were higher in the group without changes in BMD. BMI and serum levels of 25(OH)-D demonstrated a positive correlation with the BMD of all bone compartments and the AC displayed a positive correlation with the lumbar vertebrae. In the logistic regression models, adjusted for sex and age, the BMI and the serum concentration of 25(OH)-D were presented as a protective factor against osteopenia/osteoporosis.
Conclusions:
Higher body weight, BMI, AC and %BF, and sufficient serum levels of vitamin D, were shown to be promoters of BMD.
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