Abstract :
Objectives: Globally, in an aging population, osteoporosis and fractures are emerging as major public
health problems; accessible and affordable recognition, prevention and treatment strategies are needed. Percent
body fat is known to be associated with bone mineral density and fractures. This paper uses an innovative,
virtually cost-free method to estimate percent body fat from age, height and weight, and assesses its validity by
examining the association between percent body fat and fractures among women 39 and older. Design: An
epidemiologic study. Participants: 3940 college alumnae, median age 53.6, participated by responding to a
mailed questionnaire covering medical history, behavioral factors, birth date, weight and height. Statistical
methods: T-tests, chi-square and multivariable logistic regression. Measurements: Percent body fat estimated
from age, weight, height and gender. Results: Associations of fractures with percent body fat are expressed as
odds ratios: for osteoporotic (wrist, hip and/or x-ray confirmed vertebral), the adjusted OR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.65,
3.54), P<0.0001; for wrist fractures, the adjusted OR = 2.56, 95% CI (1.65, 3.96), P<0.0001; for x-ray confirmed
vertebral fractures the adjusted OR = 4.69, 95% CI (2.05, 10.77), P=0.0003).; and for non-osteoporotic, he
adjusted OR= 1.00, 95% CI (0.76 1.32), P=0.999. Conclusion: The findings are consistent with methods using
DXA and/or other technologies that show percent body fat is associated with fractures of the wrist and vertebrae.
Identification of risk factors is necessary for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoporotic
fractures. Estimation of percent body fat from age, height and weight may be a valid, cost-saving, and costeffective
alternative tool for screening and assessing risk of osteoporosis in settings where Dual x-ray
absorptiometry (DXA) or other radiological techniques are too costly or unavailable.
