Race and ethnic differences in physical activity, osteopenia, and osteoporosis: results from NHANES 2009-2010,
Elizabeth Vásquez1, Md Towfiqul Alam2, Rosenda Murillo3
1School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany State University of New York, One University Place, Room 125, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA. evasquez2@albany.edu.
Abstract:
This study aimed to determine current physical activity trends association with bone density in a racial and ethnically diverse sample of older adults. We found that those engaged in no and some physical activity had lower femoral BMD when compared to those that met the physical activity recommendation.
Purpose:
Most older adults do not engage in the recommended levels of physical activity to improve health, and there are racial and ethnic differences in physical activity participation. This study aims to evaluate whether meeting the physical activity recommendation is related to osteopenia and osteoporosis in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of older adults.
Methods:
Femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2009-2010, 2013-2014, 2017-2018) was obtained from 5252adults 60-80 years old. Self-reported physical activity was categorized into met recommendation, some physical activity, and no physical activity. We used linear regression models to examine the association between physical activity and BMD for each race and ethnic group adjusting for sociodemographics and other selected variables.
Results:
Non-Latino Blacks (NLB) and Latinos reported the lowest prevalence of meeting the physical activity recommendation, compared with Non-Latino Whites (NLW) (40.0%, 44.0%, and 51.4%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Further, NLB and Latinos had a lower prevalence of osteoporosis when compared to NLW (5.4%, 7.3%, and 9.1% respectively; p < 0.0001). There was a 0.03 g/cm2 difference in BMD between those who met the physical activity recommendation when compared to the no physical activity group; however, this decreased after adjusting for selected covariates.
Conclusion:
Considering the prevalence and burden of osteopenia and osteoporosis, and projected increases in the racial and ethnic diversity of the older population, more research is needed to further understand the association between meeting the physical activity recommendation and bone health among racial and ethnic diverse older adults.
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...
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
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...
01:40Bone 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...