Association of Physical Activity and Daily Calcium Intake with Body Mass Index and Bone Density in Menopause Females Referred to Bone Density Center of Rasht City

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between the amount of physical activity and daily calcium intake with body mass index and the amount of bone density in post-menopausal female patients. This descriptive-cross sectional study was performed on 80 post-menopausal women with mean age of 58.13±7.59 years and BMI mean of 26.69±3.66. Participant's physical activity level was measured using Beck Physical Activity Questionnaire and daily calcium intake was measured using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and three-day dietary recall. Bone densitometry method was used for determining bone density in the spinal and femur bone regions. To analyze the data, SPSS software was used. Physical activity in 53.8% of the participants was in low level and calcium intake of 62.5% of them was lower than daily recommended level. Frequency distribution of bone density in spine region was 37.5% osteopenia and 26.2% osteoporosis while in femur bone it was 48.8% osteopenia and11.2% osteoporosis (p≤0/05). Women with a lower physical activity had 51.2% osteopenia and 46.5% osteoporosis in spine region along with 69.8% osteopenia and 20.9% osteoporosis in the femur bone region. Women whose daily calcium intake was lower than the recommended amount suffered from 38% osteoporosis and 36% osteopenia in spine region and 70% osteopenia and 14% osteoporosis in the femur region. In our study, most menopause women had osteopenia in both spinal and femur bone regions. Due to the significant effect of physical activity and daily calcium intake on bone density, an increase in daily calcium intake and encouragement of women to take part in physical activities are recommended.