Abstract:
Background: Osteoporosis has a multitude of risk factors and many of those begin in the
middle age. Early recognition and management of risk factors in the middle age helps
prevention of osteoporosis in old age.
Objectives: To assess the prevalence of osteoporosis risk factors among a group of
premenopausal women in Sri Lanka.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 323 community-dwelling premenopausal women
aged 20-40 years. Sociodemographic data and the prevalence of risk factors of osteoporosis
were assessed using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Previous history of fracture,
parental history of fragility fracture, prolonged systemic glucocorticoid use (>3 months),
smoking and alcohol use, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic disease conditions, parity and duration of
breast feeding, exposure to sunlight, calcium and vitamin D rich food intake were evaluated as
main risk factors. Anthropometric measurements were made following standard procedures.
Results: Mean±SD age and body weight of the study sample were 31±6 years and 54.5±12.0
kg, respectively. Among the participants, 27.6% were overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2
) and 20.1%
had lower BMI (<18.5 kg/m2
). Approximately 13.7% had a family history of hip or major
osteoporotic fractures. Prevalence of non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension,
asthma, hypercholesterolemia) was very low (6%). None were current smokers or alcohol users
or on prolonged glucocorticoid therapy. About 3.7% women did not consume any dairy product
while one third of the sample had very low diary and non-dairy calcium rich food consumption.
Median (IQR) duration of total breastfeeding was 48 (24−48) months. Among the breastfed
women, 70% had very longer durations of breast feeding (>24months). Daily exposure to
sunlight was <2 hours in 55.7% of women.
Conclusions: Less exposure to sunlight, low intake of calcium rich foods, long-term breast
feeding and underweight are the potentially modifiable risk factors of osteoporosis prevalent
among middle aged premenopausal women. Lifestyle modifications are the best option to
reduce them.
