Correlation of Obesity and Osteoporosis: Effect of Fat Mass on the Determination of Osteoporosis

Abstract

It was previously believed that obesity and osteoporosis were two unrelated diseases, but recent studies have shown that both diseases share several common genetic and environmental factors. Body fat mass, a component of body weight, is one of the most important indices of obesity, and a substantial body of evidence indicates that fat mass may have beneficial effects on bone. Contrasting studies, however, suggest that excessive fat mass may not protect against osteoporosis or osteoporotic fracture. Differences in experimental design, sample structure, and even the selection of covariates may account for some of these inconsistent or contradictory results. Despite the lack of a clear consensus regarding the impact of effects of fat on bone, a number of mechanistic explanations have been proposed to support the observed epidemiologic and physiologic associations between fat and bone. The common precursor stem cell that leads to the differentiation of both adipocytes and osteoblasts, as well the secretion of adipocyte-derived hormones that affect bone development, may partially explain these associations. Based on our current state of knowledge, it is unclear whether fat has beneficial effects on bone. We anticipate that this will be an active and fruitful focus of research in the coming years.

Obesity and fracture in men and women: An epidemiologic perspective

“…Other recent reviews have discussed the mechanisms that might link obesity and adiposity to bone and fracture risk. (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) Large Proportion of Elderly That Are Overweight or Obese, Compared to Underweight seven studies that evaluated BMI as a risk factor for fracture demonstrated a nonlinear pattern in the relationship between fracture risk and BMI. (11) There was a marked increase in fracture risk from normal to low BMI (<25 kg/m 2 ), and the reduction in risk was particularly large for hip fracture (approximately onequarter the risk of those with normal BMI).…”

Regional fat, weight and osteoporosis in elderly women in Egypt

“…Recent studies have shown that obesity and osteoporosis share several common genetic and environmental factors [2]. Body fat mass, a component of body weight, is an important measure of obesity, and a considerable evidence indicates that fat mass may have beneficial effects on bone [2].…”

Fat mass accumulation compromises bone adaptation to load in finnish women: A cross-sectional study spanning three generations

“…(20) There are strong reasons to expect a pathophysiologic linkage between fat and bone tissue. Osteoblasts and adipocytes in bone marrow originate from the same mesenchymal stem cells, (21) normal aging is associated with a high incidence of both osteoporosis and bone marrow adiposity, (22,23) and both bone remodeling and adiposity are regulated by the hypothalamus and sympathetic nervous system. (22) Fat and bone are also linked biomechanically.…”

“…Osteoblasts and adipocytes in bone marrow originate from the same mesenchymal stem cells, (21) normal aging is associated with a high incidence of both osteoporosis and bone marrow adiposity, (22,23) and both bone remodeling and adiposity are regulated by the hypothalamus and sympathetic nervous system. (22) Fat and bone are also linked biomechanically. Bone adapts to the mechanical loads imposed on it, and these loads ultimately arise from supporting or moving body or limb mass against gravity and inertial forces.…”