ABSTRACT

It is estimated that over half of women, and one in five men, will sustain osteoporotic fractures (Van Staa et al. 2001). These cause substantial morbidity and increased mortality (Van Staa et al. 2001). High fat mass and low fat-free mass have also been associated with increased mortality (Wannamethee et al. 2007; Bigaard et al. 2004) and increased risk of disability (Visser et al. 1998). Obesity is associated with increased risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Visscher and Seidell 2001). As these are conditions that become more prevalent with age, research into the aetiology and prevention of such conditions requires measures that are valid for use in older people. This chapter reviews the status of bone health and body composition measures in older people, and considers to what extent the changes that tend to be associated with ageing can confound the techniques that aim to evaluate them.