Mediterranean diet is associated with bone mineral density and muscle mass in postmenopausal women
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the association between the Mediterranean diet (MD), body composition, and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 105 apparently healthy postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 65 years were included. BMD, percentage body fat, and appendicular lean mass index (ALMI, appendicular lean mass/height squared) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Dietary intake was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Assessment of MD adherence was based on intake of cereals, vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy products, fish, red wine, and olive oil, and expressed as the Mediterranean diet score (MDS).
RESULTS: Women with higher adherence to the MD had higher ALMI (6.6 ± 0.8 kg/m2 vs. 6.3 ± 0.7 kg/m2; p = 0.039) and lumbar spine BMD (1.076 ± 0.149 vs. 0.997 ± 0.143 g/cm2; p = 0.007) compared to those with lower MDS. Linear regression analysis adjusted for previous hormone therapy, previous smoking behavior, and habitual physical activity showed an independent positive contribution of MDS to lumbar spine BMD (mean difference 0.088 g/cm2, 95% confidence interval 0.028-0.147; p = 0.004) and ALMI (mean difference 0.296 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval 0.020-0.591; p = 0.049).
CONCLUSION: Bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and ALMI were positively associated with the MDS in a sample of postmenopausal women from a non-Mediterranean region.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Development of a crushable foam model for human trabecular bone
- Data-driven motion compensation in HR-pQCT.
- Modeling of structure, quality, and function in the orthodontic patient
- Exploring the mechanism of Heidihuang Pill in the treatment of osteoporosis based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation
- Effect of fabric on the accuracy of computed tomography-based finite element analyses of the vertebra
- Use of interventions involving virtual reality tasks during the climacteric: a systematic review
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.