Journal of School of Public Health and

Background and Aim: The role of physical activity in prevention of non-communicable diseases is now well known. The purpose of the present study was to find any possible association between physical activity and bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip and lumbar spine areas in women in postmenopausal years. 

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 254 postmenopausal women aged 46 to 78 years. Body composition and BMD were determined using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and DEXA methods, respectively, and for physical activity measurement the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used.

Results: The distribution (%) of  the subjects according to the level of physical activity ─  inactive, moderate and active ─ was 39.7%, 47.6% and 12.5% respectively. There was a positive association between physical activity level and lumbar spine BMD (P = 0.03) in the 55-year-old or younger women. No association was found between physical activity level and the hip BMD(P>0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the findings it may be concluded  that physical activity level can be used as a predictor of bone mineral density in the lumbar spine area in women in postmenopausal years (≥55 years old).