Voluntary and involuntary weight change and risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in men and women of Utah

Weight change is a determinant of risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in aging adults and risk of hip fracture may vary depending on weight loss intention. Weight change and involuntary or voluntary weight loss were assessed for their effects on risk of hip fracture in a case-control study of aging Utah residents. Men and women with weight loss after age 18 had an increased risk of hip fracture and women with an above average weight gain after age 18 had a reduced risk. Involuntary weight loss increased risk of hip fracture in participants aged 50 to 69, but did not increase risk of hip fracture in participants aged 70 to 89. Voluntary weight loss did not significantly increase risk of hip fracture in either age group. Involuntary weight loss may be an important risk factor for hip fracture and voluntary weight loss may still be safely recommended to aging adults.