Dietary patterns and bone mineral density in Brazilian postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 156 postmenopausal and osteoporotic Brazilian women aged over 45 years. BMD of lumbar spine, total femur (TF), femoral neck and of total body (TB), as well as body composition (fat and lean mass), was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Body mass index and lifestyle information were also obtained. Dietary intake was assessed by using a 3-day food diary. Dietary patterns were obtained by principal component factor analysis. Adjusted multiple linear regression analysis was applied in order to evaluate the predictive effect of dietary patterns on BMD. Significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Five patterns were retained: 'healthy', 'red meat and refined cereals', 'low-fat dairy', 'sweet foods, coffee and tea' and 'Western'. The 'sweet foods, coffee and tea' pattern was inversely associated with TF BMD (ß=-0.178; 95% CI: -0.039 to -0.000) and with TB BMD (ß=-0.320; 95% CI: -0.059 to -0.017) even after adjusting for energy and calcium intake, lean mass, age and postmenopausal time. CONCLUSIONS: A concomitant excessive consumption of sweet foods and caffeinated beverages appears to exert a negative effect on BMD even when the skeleton already presents some demineralization. Food and beverage intake is a modifiable factor that should not be neglected in the treatment of individuals with osteoporosis.