Relation of Food Insecurity, Physical Activity and Socio-Economic Factors with Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women of 50-60 Year-old in Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis, which is the most common systemic skeletal disease in middle-age and old people, is accompanied with decreased bone density, microscopic changes in bone tissues, and increased risk of fractures. This study was performed in order to find out the relation of food insecurity, physical activity, and some socio-economic factors with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Methods: This case-control study was done in 2012 on 160 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 to 60 years referred to Isfahan Bone Density Assessment Center (Isfahan, Iran). 80 participants diagnosed with osteoporosis were compared with the rest who had normal bone density. In this research, a general as well as a food security and physical activity questionnaire were used. Findings: Items which had statistically significant effect on bone density were husband job, the financial status of family, the number of households, the amount and period of activity in sleep and rest, amount of activity in stand position, and food insecurity. After the adjustment of confounding factors, we found out that the amount of activity in sleep and rest, husband job, and food insecurity are independent factors affecting the bone density. Conclusion: Considering the effect of food insecurity on osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, preventive measures seem necessary. Keywords: Food supply, Osteoporosis, Motor activity, Food security, Postmenopause