Lean body mass, body fat percentage, and handgrip strength as predictors of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to assess lean body mass, body fat percentage, and handgrip strength in the prediction of bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 102 postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 80 years (mean age 58) who were screened for osteoporosis using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan at the lumbar spine. The lean body mass, body fat percentage, and handgrip strength were calculated. Results: The lean body mass, body fat percentage, and handgrip strength were having a positive association (correlation coefficient: 0.48, 0.29, and 0.3, respectively) with BMD. Conclusion: Lean body mass, body fat percentage, and handgrip strength can detect early loss of BMD in postmenopausal women leading to early screening for osteoporosis resulting in early interventions minimizing BMD loss over a much longer period after menopause.