Joint contribution of danger elements associated to BMD of femoral neck, lumbar backbone, and entire physique. Credit score: JBMR Plus (2025). DOI: 10.1093/jbmrpl/ziaf054
A complete examine led by researchers from the A*STAR Institute for Human Growth and Potential (A*STAR IHDP) has discovered that greater than 1 in 4 healthy-weight Chinese language ladies of their 20s and 30s have already got low muscle mass and weaker bones—hidden dangers for fractures and metabolic illnesses that commonplace BMI measurements can not determine.
The examine, a part of the Singapore Preconception Research of Lengthy-Time period Maternal and Little one Outcomes (S-PRESTO), adopted 191 Singaporean ladies aged 18–45 years and revealed necessary findings about physique composition in younger Asian ladies. Printed in JBMR Plus, the analysis discovered that 26% of normal-weight Chinese language ladies had low muscle mass mixed with excessive physique fats—a “thin outside, fat inside” phenotype.
Ethnic variations reveal necessary patterns
The analysis uncovered important ethnic variations in bone well being amongst younger Singaporean ladies. Chinese language ladies confirmed the bottom bone density regardless of showing healthiest by BMI requirements, whereas different ethnic teams in Singapore demonstrated markedly stronger bones. Just one in 3 younger Chinese language ladies had wholesome muscle and physique fats composition, with key differentiating elements together with bodily exercise ranges and dairy consumption patterns.
These findings are significantly regarding provided that Singapore ranks among the many high international locations worldwide for hip fracture charges, with Chinese language ladies—who represent 74% of the inhabitants—bearing a disproportionate burden of fractures in comparison with males and different ethnic teams.
“Most research targets bone health after midlife, but our study focuses on young adulthood when prevention strategies can be most beneficial,” stated lead creator Dr. Mya Thway Tint, Principal Investigator from A*STAR IHDP. “We found that women with low muscle mass had significantly lower bone density at all measured sites, regardless of their body fat levels.”
Prevention and screening methods
Whereas BMI stays a helpful screening instrument for inhabitants well being, it has limitations in figuring out particular physique composition dangers. The examine demonstrates that muscle mass, not simply weight, performs a vital position in predicting fracture danger lengthy earlier than menopause happens.
Senior creator Prof Johan Eriksson, Government Director at A*STAR IHDP, said, “These findings highlight that ‘healthy BMI’ is insufficient to identify chronic disease risk among Asian women. Body composition screening could identify at-risk individuals who might otherwise be overlooked due to their seemingly healthy appearance. By identifying these risks early, we can implement targeted interventions to prevent serious health complications later in life.”
The examine means that vigorous bodily exercise and sufficient dairy consumption are key prevention methods, with early intervention throughout peak bone-building years being best. For figuring out at-risk people, screening approaches embody DXA scans, bioelectrical impedance evaluation utilized in nationwide well being packages, and easy handgrip energy assessments.
The findings underscore the necessity for well being care approaches that think about physique composition past easy weight measurements, particularly for younger Asian ladies who could carry increased metabolic dangers at comparable BMI ranges in comparison with Western populations.
The examine was carried out by researchers from A*STAR IHDP, NUS Yong Bathroom Lin College of Drugs, Nationwide College Well being System (NUHS), KK Ladies’s and Youngsters’s Hospital (KKH), and worldwide collaborators from the College of Southampton and College of Helsinki.
Extra info:
Mya Thway Tint et al, Differential contributions of lean and fats mass on bone mineral density in Asian ladies of reproductive age: the Singapore Preconception Research of Lengthy-Time period Maternal and Little one Outcomes examine, JBMR Plus (2025). DOI: 10.1093/jbmrpl/ziaf054
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Company for Science, Know-how and Analysis (A*STAR), Singapore
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Singapore’s younger ladies have ‘skinny-fat’ dangers sometimes seen in older age (2025, September 5)
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