Self-reported body shape and bone mineral density in a sample of African-American women.

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that increases the risk of fractures. There are demonstrated ethnic differences in the risks and consequences of osteoporosis. Body shape, defined as either android or gynoid, might be linked to the physiological changes that are associated with menopause, which are a time of worsening bone loss and increased risk for osteoporosis. This study investigated the associations between self-reported body shapes and clinically measured hip neck and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of peri-menopausal African-American women. Data from 71 women (N = 71) were gathered from a previously conducted parent study on the risks for osteoporosis and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). A multivariate regression model demonstrated that there was a positive association between self-reported android body shape and a higher hip neck BMD among study participants. The multivariate regression model was adjusted for demographics and for other risk factors.

Osteoporosis among perimenopausal African-American women: the relationship between sources of information and levels of knowledge about osteoporosis.

The aim of this study is to increase awareness of the occurrence of osteoporosis in perimenopausal African-American women. This quantitative study was designed to measure African-American women's knowledge of osteoporosis and to determine on what sources of information about osteoporosis African-American women rely Aside from demographic variables, other data were collected to determine which sources of information about osteoporosis African-American women use, whether they know that osteoporosis is a preventable disease, and whether there is a relationship between sources of information and the level of knowledge about osteoporosis among these women. Participants consisted of 45 perimenopausal African-American women from 42 to 52 years of age residing in Houston, Texas Data were utilized from an ongoing research project. Analysis of the data presented suggests that there is an association between specific sources of information and the level of knowledge about osteoporosis in this age group of African-American women.