How does body composition affect bone mass

The belief has been that increased fat mass was a protective factor for osteoporosis. This has now been challenged by two studies. One was done in 2007, which included 150 females and 150 males between the ages of 13 and 21 years (Janicka A., et al, 2007).

The conclusion of this study was that the findings provided compelling evidence that despite increased mechanical loading from higher fat mass, adipose (fat) tissue is not beneficial to bone structure.

The other study was just published in July 2009 and included 677 men between the ages of 25 and 45 years (Taes YE., et al, 2009). The results documented that both total and regional fat mass were found to be inversely associated with areal bone mass and size.

The researcher concluded that increased fat mass is associated with smaller bone size, and lean mass was a consistent positive determinant of bone size.

If you follow a low glycemic index diet high in nutrients and exercise regularly, your body fat percentage will adjust to what us normal for you without you having to count calories.

You will learn how to eat that way by reading the book “Effective Nutrition for Effective Healing”, click here for more information.

Fat mass is not beneficial to bone in adolescents and young adults. Janicka A, Wren TA, Sanchez MM, Dorey F, Kim PS, Mittelman SD, Gilsanz V., J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Jan;92(1):143-7. Epub 2006 Oct 17.

Fat mass is negatively associated with cortical bone size in young healthy
male siblings. Taes YE, Lapauw B, Vanbillemont G, Bogaert V, De Bacquer D, Zmierczak H, Goemaere S, Kaufman JM., J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Jul;94(7):2325-31. Epub 2009 Apr 28.