We conducted a cross-sectional study of bone mineral density (BMD) estimated from ultrasonic calcaneal measurement in women born in Southeast Asia and now living in Chicago. Low BMD is an important risk factor for osteoporotic fracture, and consequently morbidity and mortality among the elderly.The study addressed three questions: was there a trend towards low BMD? what factors before and after immigration were associated with BMD? and were factors which reflected the environment before age 18 equally associated with BMD for postmenopausal and premenopausal women? An interviewer administered a bilingual questionnaire collecting immigration, reproductive and lifestyle data for 213 women (age 20-80) born in Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos. Average age at immigration was 39. Postmenopausal Southeast Asian women had lower estimated mean BMD than reference values for white women and reference values for US-born Asian American women. Four summary indicators of the childhood and adolescent environment were predictive: education, remembered age at menarche, height, and coastal birth. These factors were more strongly associated with estimated BMD for premenopausal (multiple-partial R2=0.21) than postmenopausal (R2=0.06) women. Adjusting for these factors and age, young adult exposures were also associated: early first birth (lower BMD), farming at age 18 (higher BMD), and age at immigration (inverse association). Consistent with other studies, smoking and physical inactivity were associated with lower BMD. Distinctive proximal factors - vegetarian diet (lower BMD) and betel nut use (higher BMD) - were weakly associated. Although early life factors influenced BMD, modifiable risk factors were also predictive.
Learning Objectives: The participant will be able to 1. recognize how environmental risk factors for osteoporosis may occur throughout the life course and 2. immigration status may be related to risk of osteoporosis
Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander Women, Immigrants
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.