Relationship Between Sarcopenia and Fracture Risks in Obese Postmenopausal Women

ABSTRACT

It is known that obesity is inversely correlated with fracture risk. It remains unclear if a low muscle mass (sarcopenia) modulates the relationship between obesity and bone mass density. Twenty-seven obese women were matched for total fat mass (± 0.5 kg) and age (± 4 yrs) and divided in 3 equal groups: class II sarcopenic, class I sarcopenic, and nonsarcopenic. Body composition (DXA) and dietary intake were measured. Our results suggest that obesity may offer some protection against osteoporosis, even in sarcopenic postmenopausal women. However, further studies are needed to examine the actual implication of these results on a clinical standpoint.

KEYWORDS:

• Bone mass density
• fat-free mass
• menopause
• obesity
• osteoporosis

We would like to thank the women who accepted to be part of the studies. The studies were supported by CIHR, Canadian Diabetes Association, FRSQ, and the Research Centre on Aging. IJD and MAL were supported by CIHR and AK by the FRSQ.