Body weight and fracture risk look different after accounting for bone density
An international cohort analysis linked underweight with higher fracture risk, while associations at higher body weights shifted after bone density adjustment.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Underweight was associated with higher fracture risk, including after bone density adjustment. Higher weight initially appeared associated with lower risk, but that pattern weakened or reversed when bone density was included. These observational results concern risk prediction; they do not show that changing body weight would cause a corresponding change in fracture risk.
Bone density analyses used a subset of participants. Estimates depended on statistical adjustment, and uncertainty remained for some sex-specific comparisons. This abstract-based account cannot assess the individual cohorts or all potential confounding factors.
Why adjustment mattered
Among participants with bone density measurements, the researchers compared models with and without that measure. Adding femoral neck bone density reduced the apparent protection associated with higher weight and weakened the elevated risk associated with underweight.
The highest weight category
After bone density adjustment, hip fracture estimates in the highest body mass index category pointed toward greater risk. The estimate for women remained compatible with no association, while the estimate for men indicated a clearer increase.
The original publication
Body mass index and subsequent fracture risk: a meta-analysis to update FRAX.
Harvey NC, Johansson H, McCloskey EV et al.
J Bone Miner Res · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40795319
- Record checked
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