ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to find the prevalence of low bone health conditions and assess associated nutritional and other risk factors in Indian women aged 41–60 years. A total of 1,911 women participated in this cross-sectional study. Bone health was assessed using an Omnisense multisite quantitative ultrasound bone densitometer on two sites (radius and tibia). Crude prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was found to be 30.09% and 19.89%, respectively. The Indian women were deficient in a majority of nutrients. Postmenopause, hysterectomy, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, hypertension, low physical activity, low sun exposure, high stress levels, and low calcium levels were found to be independent risk factors of low bone health.
Funding
The results are a part of a major research project entitled “Nutrition and Bone Health in Punjab: A Community Study,” which was funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi-110026. DST Ref no: SSD/WD/012/2010/GNDU.