Effects of lifestyle factors on ultrasonographically determined bone health in Japanese women

The objective of this study was to determine by ultrasonographic measuremen ts, an inexpensive and radiation-free technique, the association between bo ne health and lifestyle factors among a large population of Japanese women. Two hundred and fifty-six pre-menopausal women and 585 post-menopausal wom en who underwent a voluntary medical check-up for osteoporosis in 1996-1997 were analyzed. There were significant positive correlations between the bo ne density (designated as the stiffness value) vs the weight, the height an d the body mass index of the subjects only in the post-menopausal group. Ne gative correlations were also found between the bone density vs the age and the years since menopause. Our data using ultrasonographic technique agree well with previous studies using other devices. In both groups, subjects w ith current or past exercise habits had higher stiffness values. Dietary ha bits had no effects on the stiffness value. Smoking habits had a trend towa rds negative effects and alcohol consumption seemed to have a trend towards positive effects on the stiffness value in post-menopausal women, but thes e effects did not reach statistical significance. Positive effects of curre nt exercise on bone density were maintained after adjustment for past exerc ise habits. These results support the effectiveness of exercise begun in ad ulthood. Having a good exercise habit is one of the most effective ways of maintaining good bone health.