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.

摘要

目的：本研究旨在探讨绝经后妇女的地中海饮食（MD）与身体成分和骨密度（BMD）之间的关系。

方法：这项横断面研究纳入了105名年龄在45至65岁之间的健康绝经后妇女。 通过双能X射线吸收测定法评估BMD、体脂百分比和四肢瘦组织体重指数（ALMI, 四肢瘦组织重/身高平方）。通过经验证的食物频率问卷评估膳食摄入量, MD依从性的评估基于谷物、蔬菜、水果、肉类、乳制品、鱼、红葡萄酒和橄榄油的摄入量, 并展示为地中海饮食评分（MDS）。

结果：MD依从性较高的女性与MDS较低者相比具有较高的ALMI（6.6±0.8 kg / m2 vs. 6.3±0.7 kg / m2; p = 0.039）和腰椎BMD值（1.076±0.149 vs. 0.997±0.143 g / cm2; p = 0.007）。基于先前激素治疗、既往吸烟行为和习惯性体力活动的线性回归分析显示, MDS对腰椎BMD具有独立正面的贡献（平均差异0.088 g/cm², 95％置信区间0.028-0.147; p = 0.004）和ALMI（平均差异0.296kg/m², 95％置信区间0.020-0.591; p = 0.049）。

结论：在来自非地中海地区的绝经后妇女样本中, 腰椎和ALMI的骨密度与MDS呈正相关。

Keywords:

• Postmenopause
• Mediterranean diet
• body composition
• bone mineral density
• lean mass
• muscle mass

Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Brazilian National Institute of Hormones and Women’s Health/Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [CNPq-INCT 465482/2014-7]; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Rio Grande do Sul [FAPERGS-INCT 17/2551-0000519-8]; Fundo de Apoio à Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre [FIPE-HCPA 10-0544].