FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SKELETAL HEALTH OF POSTMENOPAUSAL MEXICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN

Incidence rates of hip fracture are lower in Hispanic (HC) than non-Hi spanic Caucasians (NHC). To investigate factors that may affect skelet al health of Hispanics, we recruited 152 healthy community-dwelling Me xican-American Caucasian women into a 4-year longitudinal study that e valuates bone mass, nutritional status, muscle strength, mobility, fal ls, and other factors that may contribute to fracture risk. Results fr om the baseline component of the study are reported herein. Average bo ne mineral densities (BMD) evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiomet ry (DXA) in this study group did not differ from BMDs in healthy, NHC women of similar age. Hip axis length (HAL), however, was significantl y shorter than that reported for nonosteoporotic NHC. Factors independ ently associated with greater BMD and BMC at certain skeletal sites we re lean body mass, fat mass, acculturation, years of estrogen use, sun exposure, hip adductor strength, grip strength, erythrocyte folate, a nd serum glucose concentrations. Factors independently associated with lower BMD and BMC at certain skeletal sites were age, parity, and ver tebral deformities (all p < 0.05). Thus, the decreased risk of hip fra cture in HC compared with NHC does not appear to be due to high bone m ass. However, other factors such as HAL and body composition may play a role in maintenance of skeletal integrity.