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Weight Loss from Maximum Body Weight among Middle-Aged and Older White Women and the Risk of Hip Fracture: The NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study

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Abstract

Although weight loss increases bone loss and hip fracture risk in older women, little is known about the relation between weight loss in middle-aged women and subsequent hip fracture risk. The objective of this study was to determine the association between weight loss from reported maximum body weight in middle-aged and older women and the risk of hip fracture. Data were from a nationally representative sample of 2180 community-dwelling white women aged 50–74 years from the Epidemiologic Follow-up Study of the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHEFS). In this prospective cohort study, incident hip fracture was ascertained during 22 years of follow-up. The adjusted relative risks associated with weight loss of 10% or more from maximum body weight were elevated for both middle-aged (RR 2.54; 95% CI 1.10–5.86) and older women (RR 2.04; 95% CI 1.37–3.04). For both ages combined, women in the lowest tertile of body mass index at maximum who lost 10% or more of weight had the highest risk of hip fracture (RR 2.37; 95% CI 1.32–4.27). Weight loss from maximum reported body weight in women aged 50–64 years and 65–74 years increased their risk of hip fracture, especially among those who were relatively thin. Weight loss of 10% or more from maximum weight among both middle-aged and older women is an important indicator of hip fracture risk.

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Received: 13 August 1999 / Accepted: 26 April 2000

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Langlois, J., Mussolino, M., Visser, M. et al. Weight Loss from Maximum Body Weight among Middle-Aged and Older White Women and the Risk of Hip Fracture: The NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study . Osteoporos Int 12, 763–768 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980170053

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980170053

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