Healthy Eating Index and Bone Mineral Density in Middle to Older-Aged Women: Evidence from NHANES, 2005-2010
Abstract
Purpose: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a risk factor for osteoporosis, which can lead to fractures and increased morbidity. Diet quality may be associated with improved bone health. The relationship between the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and BMD was assessed in a U.S. population-based cohort of pre- and postmenopausal women, 40 years of age or older.
Methods: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005-2006 to 2009-2010 were analyzed to assess the relationship between HEI and total femur and femoral neck BMD among pre- and postmenopausal women (n= 3,597). The HEI score was calculated based on data from two separate 24-hour dietary recalls.
Results: Linear regression analysis showed the lowest category of the HEI was associated with lower BMD, compared to those in the highest HEI score category (fully-adjusted B=-0.029, -0.021 for pre- and postmenopausal women, respectively). After adjusting for confounding factors, there was support for a linear trend in both pre- and postmenopausal women; increasing HEI score was associated with successively greater total femoral BMD (p=0.02, test of trend in premenopausal women, p=0.002, test of trend for postmenopausal women). After adjustment for age and race/ethnicity, the regression coefficients indicated femoral neck BMD were similar to those in minimally adjusted total femur BMD models (fully-adjusted B= -0.036, -0.011 for pre- and postmenopausal women, respectively). A linear test of trend demonstrated increasing HEI score was associated with higher femoral neck BMD in premenopausal women (p=0.01). Although not statistically significant, the associations between HEI score categories and femoral neck BMD in postmenopausal women followed similar patterns in premenopausal women (p=0.12).
Conclusion: Higher HEI scores, reflecting improved diet quality, were associated with higher BMD, suggesting a subtle yet important role of overall diet quality in bone health outcomes.
Healthy Eating Index and Bone Mineral Density in Middle to Older-Aged Women: Evidence from NHANES, 2005-2010
Purpose: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a risk factor for osteoporosis, which can lead to fractures and increased morbidity. Diet quality may be associated with improved bone health. The relationship between the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and BMD was assessed in a U.S. population-based cohort of pre- and postmenopausal women, 40 years of age or older.
Methods: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005-2006 to 2009-2010 were analyzed to assess the relationship between HEI and total femur and femoral neck BMD among pre- and postmenopausal women (n= 3,597). The HEI score was calculated based on data from two separate 24-hour dietary recalls.
Results: Linear regression analysis showed the lowest category of the HEI was associated with lower BMD, compared to those in the highest HEI score category (fully-adjusted B=-0.029, -0.021 for pre- and postmenopausal women, respectively). After adjusting for confounding factors, there was support for a linear trend in both pre- and postmenopausal women; increasing HEI score was associated with successively greater total femoral BMD (p=0.02, test of trend in premenopausal women, p=0.002, test of trend for postmenopausal women). After adjustment for age and race/ethnicity, the regression coefficients indicated femoral neck BMD were similar to those in minimally adjusted total femur BMD models (fully-adjusted B= -0.036, -0.011 for pre- and postmenopausal women, respectively). A linear test of trend demonstrated increasing HEI score was associated with higher femoral neck BMD in premenopausal women (p=0.01). Although not statistically significant, the associations between HEI score categories and femoral neck BMD in postmenopausal women followed similar patterns in premenopausal women (p=0.12).
Conclusion: Higher HEI scores, reflecting improved diet quality, were associated with higher BMD, suggesting a subtle yet important role of overall diet quality in bone health outcomes.