Bone Abstracts

The aim of the study was to evaluate the appendicular lean mass depending on the dietary protein intake in the Ukrainian postmenopausal women.

Materials and methods: The study involved 63 women aged 52–89 years, who, depending on their ages, were divided into groups: 52–59 years (n=9), 60–69 years (n=26), 70–79 years (n=21), 80–89 years (n=7). To assess the dietary habits of women, we used the three-day sampling method and SEC Viria software. Lean mass was evaluated using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Prodigy, GE). We also calculated appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) by the formula: ALMI=lean mass of upper and lower extremities (kg)/height (m²).

Results: Examination of patients’ dietary habits showed an age-related decrease. Women of 80–89 years consuming <1.0 grams of protein per 1 kg of body weight accounted for more than a half of their group (57.1%), which is significantly different from the parameters established in women of 52–59 years (22.2%). For the purpose of quartile analysis, women were divided into four groups depending on their ALMI values: Q1 – ALMI=5.20–5.84 kg/m² (n=15), Q2 – ALMI=5.85–6.25 kg/m² (n=17), Q3 – ALMI=6.26–6.56 kg/m² (n=16), Q4 – ALMI=6.57–7.65 kg/m² (n=15). Women with the lowest ALMI values consume the lowest amounts of dietary protein (F=3.67; P=0.02). Significant correlations among dietary protein, nonessential, essential aminoacids and ALMI values (r=0.40, t=3.44, P=0.001; r=0.39, t=3.30, P=0.002; r=0.35, t=2.91, P=0.005; accordingly) were determined.

Conclusion: Further studies are needed to elaborate a set of recommendations aimed at correction of nutritional habits observed in older women of different countries.