Osteoporosis risk Belly fat makes our bones fragile

According to one study, the bone density changes due to too much belly fat
In humans, fat usually deposits on the abdomen. If the fat percentage increases, this can have a negative impact on bone density. The result can be, for example, osteoporosis, as a research team of the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston announced.

The fact that women with high levels of belly fat are at higher risk for osteoporosis was quite surprising for US researchers, according to Miriam Bredella of the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Previously, overweight was related to osteoporosis rather than reducing risk. However, their study has shown that women with high levels of fat in the abdominal cavity are more prone to osteoporosis or a decrease in bone density, the expert explained. On the other hand, superficial pockets of fat and curves on other parts of the body do not affect the bone density, continues Bredella.

Comparison of bone structure in osteoporosis. Image: Axel Kock - fotolia

Relationship between body fat distribution and bone density
With regard to other health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases, several studies have already identified the internal body organs as a clear risk factor. Miriam Bredella and her research colleagues have now checked whether there is a similar relation to the risk of osteoporosis. In their latest study, the US researchers have taken a closer look at body fat distribution and bone density in 50 overweight women.

The study participants had an average body mass index (BMI) of 30 - from a BMI of 25, the experts speak of obesity, from 30 of obesity - which brought a significantly increased body fat. In order to analyze the relationship to bone density, this was recorded in the study by means of so-called quantitative computed tomography. A method by which the mineral content in the bones can be determined, which serves as a basis for the diagnosis of osteoporosis or the risk of osteoporosis.

Also exciting:
These foods strengthen the back
Bone loss in osteoporosis

Internal abdominal fat increases the risk of osteoporosis
It was striking, according to the US researchers, that the risk of osteoporosis in connection with the so-called visceral fat, which is stored in the free abdominal cavity around the internal organs, increased. With increasing internal abdominal fat, the bone density decreases, so the conclusion of the US scientists. However, the researchers were unable to establish a general relationship between bone density and obesity.

"The bacon on the hips, for example, is therefore not a risk factor in the development of osteoporosis compared to internal abdominal fat," said Miriam Bredella. Visceral fat is not directly visible in contrast to the rather soft subcutaneous fatty tissue, but at a certain level leads to an enlargement of the abdominal volume, which typically manifests itself in a firm, generally bulging belly. In previous studies, the negative effects of internal abdominal fat on the cardiovascular system were clearly scientifically proven. But why this particular type of adipose tissue, in which various hormones and messengers are formed, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, the scientists could not yet conclusively explain.

Women more often affected by bone loss than men
From about the age of 30, the bone density of humans decreases, so that the risk of osteoporosis increases continuously with increasing age. Therefore, osteoporosis is the most common diagnosed bone disease in the elderly. Women are affected much more often than men. Around 80 percent of all osteoporosis affects postmenopausal women, with approximately 30 percent of postmenopausal women suffering from clinically relevant osteoporosis. But men are also affected by osteoporosis, according to the US researchers in age, which is why Miriam Bredella and colleagues are just preparing another study on men in order to analyze more closely the possible connection between internal abdominal fat and bone loss. (Sb)