Objectives: This cross-sectional study assessed the association between body composition characteristics and bone mineral density (BMD) across different menopausal transition stages. Methods: In total, 320 rural women aged 45–60 years were recruited. Body composition and BMD at different skeletal sites were evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The BMD and bone mineral content of the entire hip, lumbar region, and left arm significantly decreased across most of the menopausal transition stages, which was confirmed by Tukey post hoc analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that BMD at the hip, lumbar region, and left arm were strongly and positively associated with weight. However, BMD was negatively associated with % total body fat (TBF) across all the four menopausal stages except for lumbar BMD at the late postmenopausal stage (Model 1). Lean mass was positively and significantly associated with BMD at all the skeletal sites evaluated except for some fluctuations in lumbar BMD (Model 2). Furthermore, waist circumference was significantly associated with BMD in the late postmenopausal stage (Model 3) . Conclusions Weight and lean mass are significant predictors of BMD during the menopausal transition and beyond. Furthermore, %TBF may be a negative indicator of BMD.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study assessed the association between body composition characteristics and bone mineral density (BMD) across different menopausal transition stages. Methods: In total, 320 rural women aged 45–60 years were recruited. Body composition and BMD at different skeletal sites were evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The BMD and bone mineral content of the entire hip, lumbar region, and left arm significantly decreased across most of the menopausal transition stages, which was confirmed by Tukey post hoc analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that BMD at the hip, lumbar region, and left arm were strongly and positively associated with weight. However, BMD was negatively associated with % total body fat (TBF) across all the four menopausal stages except for lumbar BMD at the late postmenopausal stage (Model 1). Lean mass was positively and significantly associated with BMD at all the skeletal sites evaluated except for some fluctuations in lumbar BMD (Model 2). Furthermore, waist circumference was significantly associated with BMD in the late postmenopausal stage (Model 3) . Conclusions Weight and lean mass are significant predictors of BMD during the menopausal transition and beyond. Furthermore, %TBF may be a negative indicator of BMD.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study assessed the association between body composition characteristics and bone mineral density (BMD) across different menopausal transition stages. Methods: In total, 320 rural women aged 45–60 years were recruited. Body composition and BMD at different skeletal sites were evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The BMD and bone mineral content of the entire hip, lumbar region, and left arm significantly decreased across most of the menopausal transition stages, which was confirmed by Tukey post hoc analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that BMD at the hip, lumbar region, and left arm were strongly and positively associated with weight. However, BMD was negatively associated with % total body fat (TBF) across all the four menopausal stages except for lumbar BMD at the late postmenopausal stage (Model 1). Lean mass was positively and significantly associated with BMD at all the skeletal sites evaluated except for some fluctuations in lumbar BMD (Model 2). Furthermore, waist circumference was significantly associated with BMD in the late postmenopausal stage (Model 3) . Conclusions Weight and lean mass are significant predictors of BMD during the menopausal transition and beyond. Furthermore, %TBF may be a negative indicator of BMD.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a global health problem contributing to increased functional limitations (mortality, morbidity, disability) and economic costs. The study aimed at assessing the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in a sample of post-menopausal women from the states of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh in North India. Methods: A total of 250 post-menopausal women, ranging in age from 45 to 80 years, were selected by purposive sampling from three states in North India. Information was collected on height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, grip strength, dietary intake, physical activity, and exposure to sunlight. Bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) at lumbar spine (L1-L4). Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis at lumbar spine (L1-L4) was found in 26.4% of the post-menopausal women. Osteoporotic women were significantly shorter (155.17 vs. 157.57,p

A cross-sectional study was undertaken on 600 Jat women (rural=300, urban=300), aged 40 to 70 years from Haryana state in North India. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia and the dietary intake of rural and urban middle-aged (40-59 years) and older (60 & above) Jat women. The findings indicated that all the subjects exhibited a decline in the mean values of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration with advancement in age. The mean blood Hb concentration of urban middle-aged and older women was 10.1±1.3g/dl and 9.91.4g/dl respectively, which was higher than their rural counterparts at all age groups, although the differences were statistically non-significant (p>0.05). The overall prevalence of anaemia reached 88.7% (rural women= 91.3%, urban women =86%). Daily dietary intake of rural and urban subjects was below the recommended dietary allowances. Physical performance of both groups of the women showed a decline with a decrease in Hb concentration. A significant and positive correlation of Hb status was observed with grip strength and vital capacity while a negative association was witnessed with blood pressure and pulse rate in both the rural and urban women. Anaemia among these women may be attributed to inadequate dietary intake, illiteracy, and poor access to health services.