Abstract
Mid-life represents a critical physiological juncture where skeletal and metabolic health often diverge. While Hispanic adults are known to face elevated risks for both osteoporosis and cardiometabolic disease, the specific temporal synchronization of these declines, particularly the concurrent acceleration of bone loss and visceral adiposity, remains understudied in this population. PURPOSE: To examine sex-specific differences in body composition, bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm²), and blood pressure across three mid-life decades (40s, 50s, 60s) in Hispanic adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 100 Hispanic adults (36 men and 64 women) from Laredo, TX, stratified into age groups 40-49, 50-59, and 60-70 years. Body composition variables, such as body fat percentage (BF%), visceral adipose tissue (VAT, cm3), and BMD were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were auscultated manually. One-way ANOVA was used to compare outcomes across age groups separately by sex, using Bonferroni corrections for post-hoc comparisons, and with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Among males, there were no significant age-group differences in BMD (p = 0.407), BF% (p = 0.644), or VAT (p= 0.180). In contrast, females revealed significant progressive changes across age groups. From the 40s to the 60s, BMD declined (1.22 vs. 1.04 g/cm²; F(2,61) = 11.548, p = 0.001), and mean BMD T-score decreased from 1.37 to −0.43; [F(2,61) = 14.511, p = 0.001]. VAT volume in women greatly increased (643.9 vs. 993.7 cm³; F(2,61) = 9.771, p < 0.001). Significant increases were also observed in SBP (113 vs. 130 mmHg; F(2,60) = 9.578, p = 0.003), DBP (72 vs. 77 mmHg; F(2,60) = 3.823, p = 0.048), and BF% (38.9% to 42.1%; F(2,61) = 3.405, p= 0.040). CONCLUSION: A stark sex dimorphism exists in mid-life aging within this Hispanic cohort. While men maintained a relatively stable risk profile, women experienced a concurrent deterioration of skeletal and cardiometabolic integrity, characterized by a significant increase in central adiposity and significant bone loss, likely coinciding with the menopausal transition. This rapid accumulation of risk factors highlights a critical window for intervention; prevention strategies for Hispanic women must be prioritized prior to the fifth decade to mitigate this compounded disease trajectory.
Recommended Citation
Guadiana, Camila; Morales, Grecia V.; Gamboa, Marianna; and Moris, Jose M.
(2026)
"Accelerated Skeletal and Cardiometabolic Decline in Hispanic Women versus Stability in Men During Mid-Life,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 70.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/70
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons