Abstract

Abstract Background.Older women are considered at risk for hip fracture; fracture rates are highest in the southern region of the United States. The purpose of this study was to develop a predictive model for osteoporotic hip fracture among a national sample of southern women aged 50 years and older. Methods.Subjects were participants in the Third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, Phase 1. Data were collected by the National Center for Health Statistics. Predictors examined included age, race, heredity, body mass index, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol use, and dairy product use. Results.The sample consisted of 953 women aged 50 years and older. The predictive model included older age, black race, Hispanic race, and low body mass index. Conclusions.Recommendations emphasize weight gain for underweight women and promotion of healthy body weights for women of all ages.