Preventing Osteoporosis among Underweight and Obese Sedentary Young Women

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a walking program on bone mass density (BMD) among healthy obese and thin young girls. Twenty untrained obese (n=10) and thin (n=10) girls, 20-25 years, volun teered to participate in this study. Before and after the training program both groups had an anthropometric measurement, a blood analysis and a BMD evaluation. Each walking session consisted of 30 minutes walking between 50-75% of maximal heart rate, 3 days per week for 2 months. After the exercise program, BMD in both regions (hip (1.1%) and spine (L2-L 4) (2.3%) stabilized in both groups (p<0.05). Percent body fat, fat mass and lean mass were affected positively by exercise program (all p = 0.000). No significant change was observed in serum estrogen calcium, phosphorus in either group (p>0.05). This study showed that activities such as walking provide significant loading, which positively influences BMD in young thin and obese girls. This result suggests that both thin and obese women can reduce the risk of bone loss by increasing their level of activity.

The Effect of 12 Weeks of Training in Water, on Land and Combined Environment on Bone Mineral Density in Premenopausal Women

“…Results of this research were inconsistent with a study by Habib-Zadeh et al (2010) in which significant effects on bone mineral density was observed on obese and thin girls [4]. Possible causes of this inconsistency can be the shorter duration (two months), low-intensity workouts (walking with a heart rate of 50% to 75%) or lower age and weight of subjects compared to the current study.…”

“…However, one effective, low-cost and non-pharmacological approach to achieve this goal is physical activity, which is the most important environmental factor modulator to increase or maintain bone mineral density in adults and children [3]. Habib-Zadeh et al (2010) investigated the effect of walking on BMD (hip and lumbar vertebrae) of 40 obese and thin non-athlete girls and did not observe a significant effect on hip and waist BMD of the subjects [4].…”