| Hong Kong Perimenopausal Women Osteoporosis Study (HKPOST) | |
| An important predictor of osteoporotic fractures in later life is the rate and amount of bone loss occurring with age, especially in menopausal women. To investigate change in bone mineral density (BMD) and its determinants in Hong Kong Chinese perimenopausal women, Professor Suzanne C. Ho has conducted a 30-month study on a group of pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women. 438 women aged 45 to 55 years were recruited. By face-to-face interview, their bone mass, body composition, lifestyle measurements were obtained at baseline and at 9-, 18- and 30-month follow-ups. Analysis showed that menopausal status was the strongest determinant of bone changes. An annual bone loss of ~0.5% was observed among premenopausal, 2% to 2.5% among perimenopausal, and ~1.5% in postmenopausal women. Body weight, soy protein intake, and weight-bearing activities were protective for total body BMC. Higher baseline lean muscle mass was also protective for femoral neck BMD. |
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