There is currently an epidemic of aging people who are either overweight or obese.  This is especially true for women in the process of menopause.  In our efforts to combat this global problem, we run the risk of an often overlooked yet extremely harmful consequence of weight loss: the adverse effect it typically has on bone mineral density (BMD), fracture risk, and functional bone health.

BMD losses are particularly pronounced in middle-aged or older Caucasian women, particularly those who are thin, petite, and over 40 with a long history of dieting.  This should come as a serious and startling wake-up call to women of all ages as they struggle to keep excess weight off.  In a study typifying the adverse effects of weight loss, pre-menopausal and early perimenopausal women who were randomly assigned to a lifestyle intervention lost 3.2 kilograms (around 7 lbs) over eighteen months and experienced rates of BMD loss at the hip that were twice those of weight-stable control subjects.  In another study, in spite of a daily intake of 2,000 milligrams of calcium, bone loss occurred at some sites in overweight postmenopausal women because of weight loss.  The authors report that daily calcium intake of 3,400 milligrams is more likely to minimize bone loss during weight loss in postmenopausal overweight women.

What steps do you take to maintain bone health when you are trying to lose weight?