BMI and Fracture Risk

Posted by njhornung @normahorn, May 27 7:03pm

I find the reported results of this study hard to believe. Maintaining a stable BMI in middle age is associated with reduced fracture risk compared to losing weight.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00198-024-07068-7

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Yeah….so that was not feasible for me. To stay obese, putting more weight and stress on my heart, bones and joints! No thank you. But, were those in the study people who had osteoporosis? I don’t have that. Nor, osteopenia.

REPLY

I wonder if those numbers were skewed by including people who had diseases that caused them to lose weight, who then might also have more falls? Things like endocrine disorders, peripheral neuropathy, alcoholism, extensive cancer treatment, Parkinsons.
If they wanted to only look at BMI and falls then it should have excluded other issues that are known for potentially higher level of falls. I don’t know on the Framington study who was included, excluded.

REPLY
@triciaot

I wonder if those numbers were skewed by including people who had diseases that caused them to lose weight, who then might also have more falls? Things like endocrine disorders, peripheral neuropathy, alcoholism, extensive cancer treatment, Parkinsons.
If they wanted to only look at BMI and falls then it should have excluded other issues that are known for potentially higher level of falls. I don’t know on the Framington study who was included, excluded.

Jump to this post

Very good points.

REPLY

Before I start - I did not read the study referenced in prior posts. However, I feel compelled to leave comments.

I am a curious person and wanted to know the cause of my OP. My rheumatologist has never seemed to care why I have OP, and has never really given me any thought about the subject.

Here are things I have read over the years: First and foremost, there are studies that suggest that yo-yo and constant dieting (no, not 10 pounds or so, we’re talking LARGE amounts) can cause OP and likely other health-related issues. My own personal opinion is that it is never better to be obese - imagine how unhappy we’d be if someone told us to carry around 50 or 100 pounds of sandbags all the time! The extra weight is crushing to our bones and joints and if surgery is necessary, it’s more difficult to get to the root of the problem. And there are those who refute this theory.

Next, from my own personal history of carrying around more than I should at times. I noticed that even being 20 pounds over “ideal” weight made it more difficult to ride a bicycle. Once I had lost that weight, riding my bike became easier and more enjoyable. I think this was due to having better balance. So, my point here is that perhaps having a lower body weight helps us with our balance and helps us prevent serious falls/breaks by making us steadier on our feet.

Perhaps “maintaining a stable body weight in middle age” means not being overweight/obese in the first place and if that’s the case, losing enough weight to be healthy and maintaining that weight.

I’ve rambled far too much and could ramble for longer folks, but I’ll just end this rant by saying that it’s always better for our bodies to maintain a healthy weight, no matter our age. Not on a crusade, but worried for our younger citizens who think they’re being body shamed because someone mentions that they’re 50 or 100 pounds overweight and shouldn’t be. They are setting themselves up for serious health issues, if not immediately, especially as they age.

Thanks for listening! Now go enjoy the sunshine on your face. Cheers!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.