Does Your Bone Structure Improve If You Lose Weight?

Bone structure may improve if you lose weight, but it may also worsen. What matters in this equation is how the weight is lost. While exercising can promote development of healthy bone structure, dieting, if done without proper care, can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can make bones weaker. Osteoporosis, a disease in which bones are inadequately mineralized, is a major disease in the developed world. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, 30 percent of all women in the United States and Europe suffer from this condition. By building healthy bones at a younger age, you can delay or prevent this condition as you age.

Dieting

Many people diet to lose weight; however, this may lead to unhealthier bones. Diets that contain insufficient amounts of vitamin D, for example, can cause osteomalacia, a bone disease in which bones become softer and more liable to fracture. Malnutrition is a major risk factor for osteoporosis. An article published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" pointed out that diets deficient in calcium, protein, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, flouride, and vitamins D, A, C, K can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder in which individuals have an abnormal preoccupation with thinness. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, up to 20 percent of elite athletes may suffer from this condition. Anorexic women have body mass indices that are below 17.5 and often diet and exercise excessively. Because of their poor nutritional state, women with anorexia nervosa often fail to have normal reproductive function. Because they stop having periods, they lack the beneficial effects of estrogen on bone mineralization. As a result, anorexics are liable to develop osteoporosis and may develop serious fractures as a result.

Exercise

Exercise, when practiced within healthy limits, can cause weight loss and improve bone mineralization. Exercise places stress on bones, which promotes their mineralization over time, improving bone strength. Resistance training involving weightlifting is highly effective in promoting bone structure, but exercises such as jumping and running also qualify as bone-strengthening activities. By promoting bone strength, you can prevent your risk of osteoporosis later in life.

Recommendations

To best increase your chances of maintaining a healthy bone structure, make sure your diet has a sufficient supply of vitamins and minerals that are essential for bone growth. So, if you are dieting to lose weight, consider using a multivitamin to supplement your vitamin and mineral intake. An exercise regimen can also go a long way toward promoting both weight loss and healthy bones. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all individuals should practice muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice a week to promote muscle and bone health.