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Osteoporosis International
Published in: Osteoporosis International 5/2014

01-05-2014 | Original Article

Gender differences in the relationships between lean body mass, fat mass and peak bone mass in young adults

Authors: K. Zhu, K. Briffa, A. Smith, J. Mountain, A. M. Briggs, S. Lye, C. Pennell, L. Straker, J. P. Walsh

Published in: Osteoporosis International | Issue 5/2014

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Abstract

Summary

The relationships between fat mass and bone mass in young adults are unclear. In 1,183 young Australians, lean body mass had a strong positive relationship with total body bone mass in both genders. Fat mass was a positive predictor of total body bone mass in females, with weaker association in males.

Introduction

Body weight and lean body mass are established as major determinants of bone mass, but the relationships between fat mass (including visceral fat) and peak bone mass in young adults are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between bone mass in young adults and three body composition measurements: lean body mass, fat mass and trunk-to-limb fat mass ratio (a surrogate measure of visceral fat).

Methods

Study participants were 574 women and 609 men aged 19–22 years from the Raine study. Body composition, total body bone mineral content (TBBMC), bone area and areal bone mineral density (TBBMD) were measured using DXA.

Results

In multivariate linear regression models with height, lean body mass, fat mass and trunk-to-limb fat mass ratio as predictor variables, lean mass was uniquely associated with the largest proportion of variance of TBBMC and TBBMD in males (semi-partial R 2 0.275 and 0.345, respectively) and TBBMC in females (semi-partial R 2 0.183). Fat mass was a more important predictor of TBBMC and TBBMD in females (semi-partial R 2 0.126 and 0.039, respectively) than males (semi-partial R 2 0.006 and 0.018, respectively). Trunk-to-limb fat mass ratio had a weak, negative association with TBBMC and bone area in both genders (semi-partial R 2 0.004 to 0.034).

Conclusions

Lean body mass has strong positive relationship with total body bone mass in both genders. Fat mass may play a positive role in peak bone mass attainment in women but the association was weaker in men; different fat compartments may have different effects.
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Metadata
Title
Gender differences in the relationships between lean body mass, fat mass and peak bone mass in young adults
Authors
K. Zhu
K. Briffa
A. Smith
J. Mountain
A. M. Briggs
S. Lye
C. Pennell
L. Straker
J. P. Walsh
Publication date
01-05-2014
Publisher
Springer London
Published in
Osteoporosis International / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 0937-941X
Electronic ISSN: 1433-2965
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-2665-x

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