Evaluation of Body Mass Index and its Effect on Bone Mineral Density

Background: Osteoporosis, mainly observed in elderly people especially among females with fragile and weak bones. Over-weight and obesity is perceived as protective factor for osteoporosis. This study explored a relationship of BMI with BMD. Aim: To check the relationship of Body Mass Index with bone mineral density among adolescents. Methodology: In this cross sectional study, patients between the ages of 13-18 years were included. BMD was measured by using Dual-energy X-rays Absorptiometry (DEXA). BMI was measured by recording height by measuring tape and weight by adult weighing scale. All the measuring tools were calibrated to the perfection as per standards. All these measurements were entered and analyzed by using SPSS. Results: This study was conducted on 70 school students, out of these 70 students 10% showed normal BMD and 58.57% have normal BMI. It was observed during the study that participants having normal BMI have equally distributed normal and below normal BMD, while 54% below normal BMIstudents were having 54% normal BMD and 46% Osteoporosis and only 38% obese population were having normal BMD and 62% having osteoporosis. Conclusion: There is no relationship between BMI and BMD. Not Obesity nor underweight is protective / causing osteoporosis