Bone loss accompanying voluntary weight loss in obese humans

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was performed in 51 obese patients before and after 15 weeks on a low-calorie diet. Of these patients 39 were scanned 6 months later. Total and regional body bone mineral, fat mass, and fat free mass were measured. In the control group, 9 normal volunteers were scanned with up to 23 kg lard distributed anteriorly, and 9 volunteers were scanned with 15 kg lard posteriorly. The lard was then gradually removed to simulate the fat loss found in the patient group. In the patient group the mean weight loss was 12,273 g, the mean fat loss was 11,014 g, and the mean bone mineral loss was 171.6 g after 15 weeks. Close correlation between the fat loss and the bone loss was found and calculated to be 16.5 g bone mineral per kg fat in the patient group, in contrast with 0.5 g bone mineral per kg fat in the control group. In the control group, 15 kg lard placed posteriorly had no statistically significant effect on the bone measurements. If weight and fat were regained at the scanning time 6 months later, the bone mineral was regained as well. Patients with further weight loss continued to lose bone mineral. One patient lost 754 g bone mineral in 9 months. Her weight loss was 45 kg in that period, and the bone mineral content remained within the range for normal women at her age. Methodologic and pathogenetic problems are discussed. It is concluded that the observed bone loss should be regarded as physiologic normalization accompanying a diet-induced weight loss in the obese.