Eating behavior traits, weight loss attempts, and vertebral dimensions among the general Northern Finnish population

Abstract

<div lang="en" class="abs"><p class="abs_header">Abstract</p><p><em>Study design:</em>A population-based birth cohort study.</p><p><em>Objective:</em>To evaluate the associations of eating behavior traits and weight loss attempts with vertebral size among the general Northern Finnish population.</p><p><em>Summary of background data:</em>Vertebral fragility fractures are a typical manifestation of osteoporosis, and small vertebral dimensions are a well-established risk factor for vertebral fracturing. Previous studies have associated cognitive eating restraint and diet-induced weight loss with deteriorated bone quality at various skeletal sites, but data on vertebral geometry are lacking.</p><p><em>Methods:</em>This study of 1338 middle-aged Northern Finns evaluated the associations of eating behavior traits (flexible and rigid cognitive restraint of eating, uncontrolled eating, emotional eating; assessed by the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-18) and weight loss attempts (assessed by a separate questionnaire item) with magnetic resonance imaging-derived vertebral cross-sectional area (CSA). Sex-stratified linear regression models were used to analyze the data, taking body mass index, leisure-time physical activity, general diet, smoking, and socioeconomic status as potential confounders.</p><p><em>Results:</em>Women with rigid or rigid-and-flexible cognitive eating restraints had 3.2% to 3.4% smaller vertebral CSA than those with no cognitive restraint (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05). Similarly, the women who reported multiple weight loss attempts in adulthood and midlife had 3.5% smaller vertebral size than those who did not (<em>P</em> = 0.03). Other consistent findings were not obtained from either sex.</p><p><em>Conclusion:</em>Rigid cognitive eating restraint and multiple weight loss attempts predict small vertebral size and thus decreased spinal health among middle-aged women, but not among men. Future longitudinal studies should confirm these findings.</p><p><em>Level of Evidence:</em> 3</p></div>