Dietary Habits and Osteoporotic Fracture Risk: Retrospective Cohort Study Using Large-Scale Claims Data

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Bone Health
• Lifestyle Medicine

Background:

• Established links exist between lifestyle factors (exercise, alcohol, smoking) and osteoporotic fracture risk.
• The association between specific dietary habits, like meal timing, and osteoporotic fracture risk remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between various lifestyle habits, including dietary patterns, and the incidence of osteoporotic fractures.
• To identify specific dietary habits that may contribute to or protect against osteoporotic fractures.

Main Methods:

• A large cohort of over 927,000 individuals aged 20+ was analyzed using health checkup data and a Japanese claims database (DeSC).
• Lifestyle habits were assessed via questionnaires, and osteoporotic fractures (hip, forearm, vertebral, humeral) were recorded as outcomes.
• Cox proportional-hazards models were employed to calculate adjusted hazard ratios for lifestyle factors, controlling for conventional risk factors.

Main Results:

• Smoking (HR 1.11) and skipping breakfast (HR 1.18) were associated with a significantly higher risk of osteoporotic fracture.
• Late dinner (HR 1.08) also showed an increased risk, while daily alcohol consumption (HR 0.91) and fast gait speed (HR 0.84) were associated with reduced risk.
• Exercise habits and sufficient sleep did not show a significant association with osteoporotic fracture risk in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Skipping breakfast and having a late dinner are independently associated with an elevated risk of osteoporotic fracture.
• These findings underscore the potential impact of meal timing on bone health and fracture prevention.
• This study provides novel insights into dietary habits as modifiable risk factors for osteoporotic fractures.