Dietary intake and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dietary intake variables and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women, to determine if dietary intake can predict BMD, and to determine if there was a significant difference between dietary intake and BMD over a 20-year period. Another purpose was to examine the relationship between BMD and (a) women who have and have not had a hysterectomy and (b) between age groups of postmenopausal women. Participants were 30 females aged 34--91 at follow-up. BMD was measured using radiographic photodensitometry (RPD), radiogrammetry (RG), and single-photon absorptiometry (SPA). Dietary intake was determined by a registered dietitian using 7- and 3-day dietary records and analyzed by Nutritionist V, version 5.0.; Protein and fat intakes were significantly correlated with BMD ( p < 0.05). Significant differences between baseline and follow-up existed between BMD measurements. There were significant differences in RPD 5-2 and RG 2--4 measurements between women who have and have not had a hysterectomy. Women aged 34--55 years had a significantly different BMD than women aged 70+ years.