We have earlier demonstrated that
In contrast, “the Polynesian bone phenotype” has been characterised as having higher bone density than that of European counterparts42.
Individuals of African descent have higher bone density and fewer fractures than Caucasians, whereas Asians have lower fracture rates despite lower bone density.
Bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture rates vary among women of differing ethnicities. Most reports suggest that BMD is highest in African-Americans, lowest in Asians, and intermediate in Caucasians, yet Asians have lower fracture rates than Caucasians.
Prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass (osteopenia) varies among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Among white Americans, 9 percent have osteoporosis and 42.9 percent have low bone mass. Among Mexican Americans, 13.1 percent have osteoporosis and 42.2 percent have low bone mass.
Being Asian is a risk factor for osteoporosis. Having a thin, small boned frame (or low bone mass), low physical activity and low calcium intake also are risk factors. As much as 90% of Asian Americans may be lactose intolerant, therefore obtaining calcium from dairy products proves problematic.
While men and women of all races can develop osteoporosis, post-menopausal white and Asian women are at highest risk.
In both men and women aged 46–85 years, Vietnam and Indonesia have the lowest SI as well as T-Score for all age groups. For Vietnam and Indonesia, more than 50% of the women could be at risk of having osteoporosis and related fractures after the age of 70, while in Thailand and the Philippines this was >80 years.
Bones become stronger by increasing the width of their outer protective layer, the cortex, which also makes the bone heavier. The bottom line: “Some people really do have heavier bones,” Heymsfield said.
Big bones don't mean (much) extra weight
“Larger bones might account for a few pounds of weight but not 30 or 40,” Banaszynski said. “It's not going to be the difference between a healthy body mass index (BMI) and being overweight.”
Available data beginning at age 18 years through age 80 indicate that males and African Americans have more skeletal muscle mass than females and other ethnic groups across the entire age range, even adjusting for weight and height [41] .
Weight is closely related to bone strength. In adults who are too fat, the bone density is high. If they are thin, the bone density is low.
Males have larger skeletal size and bone mass than females, despite comparable body size.
“This high prevalence of obesity among Samoans is a relatively recent phenomenon,” Arslanian notes. It appears to be “heavily influenced by globalization” and “the shift from subsistence agriculture to excess consumption of high calorie, processed foods and sedentary lifestyles.”
Some scientists believe Tonga's problem is partly down to genetics - that Pacific islanders in the past had to survive long periods without food so their bodies are programmed to cling on to fats.
Polynesians are also known for their unique combination of physical characteristics: tall stature, a large muscular body, a robust skeleton, and a strong tendency toward obesity (Katayama, 1996). Katayama (1996) proposed that these characteristics were the result of hypermorphosis.
If you are truly convinced that you are just big-boned and not overweight, buy a body-fat scale to measure your fat percentage. Excess weight is either the result of excess fat or excess muscle, not excess bone or big bones. So, the notion of being big-boned is a big myth…
Bone mineral density (BMD) is positively associated with body weight, and low body weight is a risk factor of fractures.
People lose bone mass or density as they age, especially women after menopause. The bones lose calcium and other minerals.
In 2019, the five countries with the highest disease burden of DALYs number in LBMD-related fractures were India (2 510 288), China (1 839 375), United States of America (819 445), Japan (323 094), and Germany (297 944), accounting for 25.59%, 18.75%, 8.35%, 3.29%, and 3.04%.
Most people will reach their peak bone mass between the ages of 25 and 30. By the time we reach age 40, we slowly begin to lose bone mass.
One of the consequences of low bone density is an osteoporotic fracture. The typical sites of osteoporotic fractures are at the spine/vertebra, hip and wrist/Colles' fracture. Surprisingly, despite the generally lower BMD in Asians, the rate of osteoporotic fractures is not higher compared to Caucasians.
The highest prevalence of osteoporosis was reported in Africa with 39.5% (95% CI 22.3–59.7) and a sample size of 2989 people with the age range 18–95 years.
Early warning signs of osteoporosis include low bone density, bone fractures, lost height, a curved upper back, sudden back pain, gastrointestinal issues, dental problems, and a fracture while pregnant. If you experience these warning signs, speak with your healthcare provider about a bone density test.
Osteoporosis is most common in non-Hispanic white women and Asian women. African American and Hispanic women have a lower risk of developing osteoporosis, but they are still at significant risk. Among men, osteoporosis is more common in non-Hispanic whites.