Prevalence of fracture and osteoporosis risk factors in American Indian and Alaska Native people.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about prevalence of osteoporosis risk factors among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN). METHODS: We included AIAN people (n=8,039) enrolled in the Education and Research Towards Health (EARTH) Study. Prevalence ratios were used to determine cross-sectional associations of risk factors with self-reported bone fractures. RESULTS: There is a high prevalence of multiple risk factors for osteoporosis in AIAN, although the factors that are associated with past fracture vary by gender and geographical area. In general, women who reported a fracture reported more risk behaviors, more than two medical conditions, and low physical activity. Men with higher BMI were less likely to report a fracture. Smoking history was associated with fracture for both genders, though not significantly in all sub-groups. CONCLUSION: We prevent a high prevalence of risk factors for osteoporosis for AIAN. Future research for osteoporosis risk reduction and prevention in AIAN people is indicated.