Anthropometrics and biochemical markers in men

The relation between anthropometric components and biochemical markers has not been previously studied. To clarify the role of anthropometric factors in bone metabolism in men, 145 randomly selected subjects 40 to 70 yr of age from a population-based cohort were studied. Pearson's r and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the relation between anthropometrics (weight, body mass index [BMI], percentage of body fat, fat-free weight, and fat-free BMI), biochemical markers, and bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine and femoral neck, as well as between BMD and each biochemical marker (serum bone formation marker procollagen amino-terminal propeptide [PINP], urinary bone resorption marker amino-terminal telopeptide [NTx], and the ratio of PINP to NTx. Of the anthropometric factors, fat-free BMI had the highest association with the markers (r = -0.21 to -0.35, p < 0.05) and explained a higher percent of both spine BNID and NTx variance than weight. Body fat did not correlate with the BMD measures. Urinary NTx was a better indicator of current BMD status than PINP or the ratio of PINP to NTx, with the highest association with BNID at the sites tested (r = -0.20 to -0.29). NTx levels were statistically significantly different between men with normal and osteoporotic BMD at the femoral neck.