Obesity has been a problem of the Western world and it is not a cosmetic problem but a serious health concern. Weight loss through pills and programs has been common among many people. These efforts, however, have been futile for some, and useless to many.

Weight regain often follows these weight loss regimens, some at even heavier weight. Weight cycling is the repeated loss and regain of weight (Weight-control Information Network, 2008). It may lead to bone fractures. Fractures of the distal forearm or wrist are among the most common of all fractures. The incidence rates of distal forearm fracture in Norway are the highest reported. The capital city of Oslo exhibited the highest incidence. There have been observational studies that document the relationship between weight cycling and increased morbidity, with increase in risk factors such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Some even record total mortality.

These studies have methodological limitations. Some fail to differentiate intentional and unintentional weight loss. Additionally, there is difficulty in concluding that weight cycling leads to deterioration of health.

In Norway, a similar study was conducted in 1972-1972 that showed increased risk of hip fracture in nearly 20,000 middle-aged men and women that were followed for 11.6 years. Men who belonged to the upper quartile of weight variability have nearly threefold increased risk of hip fracture as compared to men in the lowest quartile. As for women, the increased risk was twofold. Before this study, no study has examined the relation between weight cycling and forearm or wrist fractures. As part of the 2000 Oslo study, a collection of self-reported data was collected on the frequency and amount of weight loss before and after age 50 years and on history of forearm fractures from a large cohort of elderly men with mean age of 71.6 years. The aim of the present analysis was to examine the association between repeated weight loss episodes and forearm fractures in this cohort.

This study can be generalized to the population of older women, as well. There is a need to test the same assumption of weight cycling being a risk factor for forearm fracture on women because weight cycling is a phenomenon that occurs frequently with women. Women should be made aware, through the findings of an official scientific study, that bone loss density which can cause forearm fracture may be caused by the occurrence of weight cycling.

This women’s study can inspire various other future researches that can shed light on the bone density problem of women, as many cases of osteoporosis is recorded for this sector. Eventually, these studies can produce recommendations on how to best combat osteoporosis other than what women see on adult milk advertisements.

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