BMD Loss Fails to Recover After Weight Regain Among Older Adults

A study in Obesity of older adults who lost weight in a lifestyle program found subjects who kept up their weight loss and those who regained weight afterwards were both prone to bone mineral density (BMD) erosion at the hip, reports Healio . "Our data . . . suggest that for older adults, weight-loss-associated hip bone loss persists into the following year, regardless of weight regain status," said Wake Forest University Professor Kristen M. Beavers. The team analyzed bone health trajectories for 77 participants, who all had weight loss after being randomly assigned to regimens focusing on weight loss alone, weight loss with aerobic exercise, or weight loss plus resistance exercise for 18 months, with follow-up through the 30th month. The researchers measured height and weight and calculated trabecular bone score, total body fat mass, total body lean mass, and hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine BMD at 18 months and 30 months. Thirty-six participants regained at least 5 percent of their total body mass during follow-up, and 41 had weight fluctuations of less than 5 percent or maintained weight. Those who regained weight experienced a 3.9 percent reduction in total hip BMD at 18 months, and those who maintained weight loss saw a 2.4 percent reduction. "Results . . . suggest that among older adults, weight regain may only partially recover weight loss-induced hip bone loss," Beavers concluded.