Ys. Jung et al., Body composition and muscle strength as determinants of racial difference in bone mineral density, J AGING P A, 9(2), 2001, pp. 213-222
The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of body composi
tion and muscle strength to racial differences in bone mineral density (BMD
) in chronically active older adults. Participants were 49 men and 56 women
grouped according to self-selected race (Black, Asian, or White). BMD, bod
y composition, and knee strength were measured. Asian men had significantly
lower body mass, strength, and BMD than White and Black men did (p < .05).
Asian and White women had significantly lower body mass and BMD than Black
women did (p < .05), with few strength differences between groups. When le
an mass was controlled by ANCOVA, racial differences in BMD disappeared for
all bone sites in both sexes. Controlling for body mass eliminated most ra
cial differences in BMD. Controlling for strength did not alter racial diff
erences in BMD for either sex. These results suggest that racial difference
s in BMD might in part result from differences in lean mass.