Background & Objective: Osteoporosis is a serious public health concern known to have several etiologic factors. This study compared lifestyles among postmenopausal women with normal and abnormal bone marrow densitometries (BMD).

Methods & Materials: In this case-control study, 81 postmenopausal women (33 cases with abnormal BMD and 48 control individuals with normal BMD) were selected using simple random sampling from Osteodensitometry center of Shariati hospital in Tehran. The BMD at lumbar spine and femoral neck had been measured with DXA. The Lifestyle was assessed using a questionnaire containing items about taking calcium, vitamin D, hormones, and Alendronat, doing physical activity, consuming tea and cola, and smoking. Reproductive characteristics were also collected via a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using χ2 test and independent sample t-test. Crude and adjusted odds ratios and relevant 95% confidence intervals were calculated through logistic regression, using SPSS v.13.

Results: The results showed significant differences between two groups in weight (P>0.001), BMI (P=0.022), number of pregnancies (P=0.002), number of children (P=0.004), duration of lactation (P=0.0002), dietary calcium intake (P≤0.001), and period of calcium supplement intake (P=0.002). The average of acquired scores of lifestyle factors in the case group was significantly lower than the control group (P=0.037). Inappropriate lifestyle had increased risk of the disease (OR=3.36, 95%, CI: 1.10-10.26). Meanwhile in the multivariate analysis, only insufficient intake of calcium was found to be a risk factor (P=0.002) for osteoporosis.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study showed positive effect of calcium intake on bone mineral density.

Background & Objective: It is essential to conduct studies on factors related to obesity in both reproductive ages and menopausal period. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of general and android obesity and to assess determinants of overweight in pre- and post-menopausal women.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional, random survey of households, about 610 women 20-65 years were recruited. Data were collected via interviews with the participants. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured as well. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and the waist to hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Overweight and general obesity were defined as 25≤BMI<30 and BMI≥30, respectively. Android obesity was defined as WHR≥0.85.

Results: The prevalence of overweight and general obesity was 90.6% in the premenopausal women and 72.6% in the post-menopausal women. About 75% and 41.9% of pre- and post-menopausal women had android obesity, respectively. Low literate post-menopausal women had significantly more general and android obesities. In addition, postmenopausal women with more parity had more android obesity. Pre-menopausal women with low literacy and housewives had significantly more general and android obesities. In addition, pre-menopausal women with more parity had less general obesity and more android obesity. In these women, android obesity was increased with age and decreased with physical activity.

Conclusion: The prevalence of general and android obesities was high in Islamshahr women, especially in the post-menopausal women. This result indicates that the women have potential risks for various diseases.

Background & Objective: Osteoporosis is a serious metabolic bone disorder and a major health concern in women. Osteoporosis affects the quality of life of women. Studying the osteoporosis related food habits and behaviors can promote health promotion program planning. It seems that female teachers are the best models and educational sources for female students. This study was carried out to determine the osteoporosis related food habits and behaviors among female teachers.

Methods & Materials: This study was a cross-sectional study in which 308 female teachers were randomly selected using stratified sampling method from the schools of the 6^th district of Tehran. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using student t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test.

Results: Mean score of osteoporosis related food habits and behaviors was 14.9±4.2 (out of a possible 24 maximum attainable score). Osteoporosis related food habits and behaviors score was significantly higher in the teachers who had higher knowledge score, aged more than 50 years old, had worked for more than 25 years , had used educational books and booklets as the first informational source, and among the post- menopausal teachers (P<0.03).

Conclusion: According to the findings, the teachers demonstrated average level of osteoporosis related food habits and behaviors, whereas their mean calcium intake was relatively adequate, but their other food habits and behaviors were relatively inappropriate. It seems developing and implementation of educational programs and offering educational booklets to teacher can help to promote their food habits and behavior which may be helpful in enhancing students&apos food habits.