Prevalence of low bone mineral density among middle aged adults of 50-59 years and its association with different risk factors

Abstract

Osteoporosis is systemic skeletal disease that increases that increases fragility of bones and
susceptibility to fractures due to decreased bone density and micro-architectural degradation of bone
components. It is caused by intricate relationships between environmental, metabolic, and genetic variables.
Globally osteoporosis is prevalent among 200 million each year. Aging is a multidimensional process, which
involves good health and wellbeing at each stage to participate in productive activities. The middle aged
adults are people within the age group of 40 to 59 years. Within the demographic pyramid, the middle-aged
adult group represents a significant portion of the population, making about 21% of the total. Furthermore, the
middle aged adults are the future elderly population. Therefore, the present study was aimed to determine the
prevalence of the osteoporosis among the middle aged adults of 50 - 59 years and analyze the relationship
between the selected modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. A well-structured interview schedule was
developed and nutritional assessment was done among 120 middle aged adults of 50 - 59 years. Data on
anthropometrics, biochemical, clinical and dietary status was collected. A rising prevalence of osteopenia was
observed. About 65% of the subjects had osteopenia, 10.0% osteoporosis and 4.16% had a normal Bone
Mineral Density. The results of the study projected a significant association between Bone Mineral Density
and Body Mass Index, whereas poor association was observed with socio-demographics and BMD. Based on
Mini Nutritional Assessment (short form), majority of the subjects were at risk of malnutrition. The
osteopenia and osteoporosis prevalence were 55.69% and 75% among the subjects at risk of malnutrition
respectively.