Gender Differences in Bone Mineral Density-Related Factors among Adults: Based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the factors related to the bone mineral density (BMD) in male and female adults aged 50 years or older. The factors included were socio-demographics, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood lipids, and health habits. Methods: As a secondary data analysis, this study used raw data from the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and selected 2,295 adults aged over 50 years who participated in the survey and had BMD values. The T-score of the femoral neck was evaluated for BMD. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and multiple regression. Results: The factors influencing the BMD in men were age (β= -.029, p < .001), BMI (β= .100, p < .001), triglyceride (β= -.001, p = .001), and calcium (β= .001, p = .003), and the suggested regression equation explained 25.6% of the variance in BMD (F= 16.32, p < .001). The factors related to BMD in women were age (β= -.060, p < .001), BMI (β= .091, p < .001), total cholesterol (β= -.002, p = .028), HDL cholesterol (β= .009, p = .001), and calcium (β= .001, p = .004), and the suggested regression equation explained 47.0% of the variance in BMD (F= 61.72, p < .001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the modifiable factors, such as BMI, blood cholesterol, and calcium, should be targeted to improve the BMD in both men and women.