Central obesity is more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Both general and central obesity have been linked to vertebral fractures; however, their specific effects on vertebral fractures have not been directly compared. This study aimed to investigate the associations between measures of general and central obesity and vertebral fractur...

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Main Authors: Yen-Huai Lin, Michael Mu Huo Teng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06178-z
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author Yen-Huai Lin
Michael Mu Huo Teng
author_facet Yen-Huai Lin
Michael Mu Huo Teng
author_sort Yen-Huai Lin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Both general and central obesity have been linked to vertebral fractures; however, their specific effects on vertebral fractures have not been directly compared. This study aimed to investigate the associations between measures of general and central obesity and vertebral fractures. Methods This cross-sectional study of 1,011 postmenopausal women used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure bone density and body composition. Bone quality was assessed using the trabecular bone score. General obesity was evaluated using body mass index and body fat percentage, whereas central obesity was measured using waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and android-gynoid ratio. Vertebral fractures were determined by retrospectively reviewing medical records, and only fractures confirmed by radiological reports were included. Results Obesity indices, including body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and android-gynoid ratio, were positively associated with bone density but negatively associated with trabecular bone score. General obesity, based on body fat percentage, was associated with vertebral fractures, whereas general obesity measured using body mass index was not. Central obesity assessed using waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and android-gynoid ratio, was associated with vertebral fractures. Furthermore, among the different combinations of general and central obesity, central obesity measured by waist circumference and waist-hip ratio was still associated with vertebral fractures, irrespective of general obesity. Conclusions Central obesity was more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity in postmenopausal women. Therefore, developing and implementing measures to prevent central obesity are recommended.
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spelling doaj-art-9f76511c8d51444e8be2cd5e3aa7e6a42025-08-20T03:42:03ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-07-012511710.1186/s12877-025-06178-zCentral obesity is more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity: a cross-sectional studyYen-Huai Lin0Michael Mu Huo Teng1Department of Medical Imaging, Cheng Hsin General HospitalDepartment of Medical Imaging, Cheng Hsin General HospitalAbstract Background Both general and central obesity have been linked to vertebral fractures; however, their specific effects on vertebral fractures have not been directly compared. This study aimed to investigate the associations between measures of general and central obesity and vertebral fractures. Methods This cross-sectional study of 1,011 postmenopausal women used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure bone density and body composition. Bone quality was assessed using the trabecular bone score. General obesity was evaluated using body mass index and body fat percentage, whereas central obesity was measured using waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and android-gynoid ratio. Vertebral fractures were determined by retrospectively reviewing medical records, and only fractures confirmed by radiological reports were included. Results Obesity indices, including body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference, and android-gynoid ratio, were positively associated with bone density but negatively associated with trabecular bone score. General obesity, based on body fat percentage, was associated with vertebral fractures, whereas general obesity measured using body mass index was not. Central obesity assessed using waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and android-gynoid ratio, was associated with vertebral fractures. Furthermore, among the different combinations of general and central obesity, central obesity measured by waist circumference and waist-hip ratio was still associated with vertebral fractures, irrespective of general obesity. Conclusions Central obesity was more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity in postmenopausal women. Therefore, developing and implementing measures to prevent central obesity are recommended.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06178-zAndroid-gynoid ratioCentral obesityGeneral obesityVertebral fracturesWaist circumferenceWaist-hip ratio
spellingShingle Yen-Huai Lin
Michael Mu Huo Teng
Central obesity is more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity: a cross-sectional study
BMC Geriatrics
Android-gynoid ratio
Central obesity
General obesity
Vertebral fractures
Waist circumference
Waist-hip ratio
title Central obesity is more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_full Central obesity is more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Central obesity is more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Central obesity is more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_short Central obesity is more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_sort central obesity is more strongly associated with vertebral fractures than general obesity a cross sectional study
topic Android-gynoid ratio
Central obesity
General obesity
Vertebral fractures
Waist circumference
Waist-hip ratio
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06178-z
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AT michaelmuhuoteng centralobesityismorestronglyassociatedwithvertebralfracturesthangeneralobesityacrosssectionalstudy