Life’s Essential 8 and osteoporosis in adults aged 50 years or older: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Published in: Archives of osteoporosis 2024-02, Vol.19 (1), p.13, Article 13
• Main Authors: Tang, Yuchen, Dong, Wei, Shen, Jieliang, Jiang, Guanyin, Wang, Qiufu, Hao, Jie, Hu, Zhenming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Adult; Aged; Bone Density; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endocrinology; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys; Original Article; Orthopedics; Osteoporosis - complications; Risk Factors; United States - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1862-3514; 1862-3514
• DOI: 10.1007/s11657-024-01368-5

Summary In this cross-sectional study, we examined the association between Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) and bone mineral density (BMD) as well as osteoporosis risk among adults aged 50 and over. The findings of this study revealed that higher LE8 scores were associated with higher BMD and reduced osteoporosis risk. Purpose The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) and bone mineral density (BMD), as well as osteoporosis risk, in adults aged 50 years or over. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited individuals who were 50 years old or older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. LE8 scores were evaluated and calculated according to the scoring algorithm based on the American Heart Association recommendations, which were further categorized into health behaviors (LE8-HB) and health factors (LE8-HF) scores. Furthermore, the present study utilized multivariate linear regression models to examine the correlations between BMD and LE8 scores. In addition, ordinal logistic regression models were employed to determine the associations between the risk of osteoporosis (normal BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis) and LE8 scores. Results The final analysis included a total of 2910 participants, whose mean age was 64.49 ± 9.28 years. LE8 and LE8-HF scores exhibited a negative association with BMD and a positive association with osteoporosis risk in unadjusted models. Nevertheless, after adjustment for covariates, LE8 and LE8-HB scores exhibited a positive association with BMD and a negative association with osteoporosis risk, regardless of age, sex, or menopausal status. Conclusions Scoring systems based on multiple lifestyle and behavior factors, similar to LE8, have the potential to become a novel option and be used for osteoporosis risk assessment.