AGE-ASSOCIATED BONE LOSS IN MEN AND WOMEN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO WEIGHT

The relationship of bone mineral density (BMD) to age and weight was investigated in a cross-sectional study of 942 community-dwelling men and women aged 65-74 years. BMD continues to decline after the age of 65 at a similar rate in men and women. BMD was positively associated with weight in both men and women with similar regression slopes; approximately one third of the decline in BMD with age could be explained by the associated age-related decline in weight. Maintaining weight in later life may prevent some of the age-related loss of bone. Whatever factors are responsible for the age-related decline in bone mass apply similarly in men and women at these older ages: there is no evidence for accelerated decline in women in this age group.