Researchers studied nearly 3,000 people to understand if anxiety disorders make bones weaker. They found that people with anxiety were more likely to have osteoporosis, a condition where bones become fragile and break easily. The study used health information collected over several years and created a computer model that could predict who might develop weak bones. While anxiety alone doesn’t cause osteoporosis, it appears to be one of several factors that increase the risk. This discovery suggests doctors should pay attention to both mental health and bone health together.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people with anxiety disorders are more likely to develop osteoporosis (weak bones)
  • Who participated: Nearly 3,000 adults from the United States who participated in national health surveys between 1999 and 2004. The group included people of different ages, races, education levels, and activity levels.
  • Key finding: People with mild anxiety disorder were about 5.7 times more likely to have osteoporosis compared to those without anxiety. This connection was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to be due to chance.
  • What it means for you: If you have anxiety, it may be worth discussing bone health with your doctor. However, this study shows a connection, not that anxiety directly causes weak bones. Many other factors like age, physical activity, and education level also matter.

The Research Details

Scientists looked at health information from thousands of Americans collected through national health surveys. They gathered details about whether people had anxiety disorders, their bone density (how strong their bones were), and other health factors like age, exercise habits, and smoking. The researchers used statistical methods to find patterns and connections between anxiety and bone health. They also created a computer prediction model—like a calculator—that could estimate someone’s risk of weak bones based on their characteristics.

This type of study is important because it looks at real-world health data from many people rather than just a small group in a lab. By examining national survey data, researchers can spot patterns that might apply to the general population. The prediction model they created could help doctors identify people at higher risk before serious bone problems develop.

The study included a large number of participants (nearly 3,000), which makes the findings more reliable. The researchers used proper statistical methods and their prediction model performed well (82% accuracy). However, because people reported their own bone health rather than having bone scans, there’s some uncertainty about the accuracy of diagnoses. The study is also from data collected 20+ years ago, so current patterns might be different.

What the Results Show

The main finding was a clear connection between anxiety disorders and osteoporosis. People with mild anxiety had about 5.7 times higher odds of having osteoporosis compared to those without anxiety. This relationship was very unlikely to happen by chance (P < .001, meaning less than 0.1% probability of random occurrence). Bone mineral density—a measure of bone strength—showed the opposite pattern: people with higher bone density were less likely to have osteoporosis, which makes sense. The researchers also found that several other factors were connected to osteoporosis risk, including age (older people had higher risk), sex (women were more affected), education level, marital status, and physical activity (more active people had lower risk).

Interestingly, smoking status was not significantly connected to osteoporosis in this study, which differs from some previous research. The prediction model the researchers created was quite accurate—it correctly identified osteoporosis cases 83% of the time and had an overall accuracy of 82%. This suggests that combining information about anxiety with other health factors creates a useful tool for identifying people at risk.

This research adds to growing evidence that mental health and bone health are connected. Previous studies have suggested that stress and anxiety might affect bone health through hormonal pathways, but this is one of the larger studies examining this specific relationship in a general population. The findings align with other research showing that psychological factors influence physical health in unexpected ways.

The study has several important limitations. First, people reported their own osteoporosis diagnosis rather than having medical tests, which could lead to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis. Second, the data is from 1999-2004, so it may not reflect current patterns. Third, because this is a snapshot study (not following people over time), we can’t prove that anxiety causes osteoporosis—only that they’re connected. Fourth, the study is based on U.S. survey data, so results may not apply to other countries or populations.

The Bottom Line

If you have an anxiety disorder, discuss bone health with your doctor. This might include asking about bone density screening, especially if you’re a woman over 50 or a man over 70. Maintain regular physical activity, ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and seek treatment for anxiety if you haven’t already. These steps address multiple risk factors for weak bones. The evidence for this recommendation is moderate—we know anxiety is connected to bone health, but we don’t fully understand the mechanism yet.

This research is most relevant for people with anxiety disorders, especially those with other risk factors for osteoporosis (older age, female sex, low physical activity). Healthcare providers should consider anxiety as one factor when assessing bone health risk. People without anxiety can still develop osteoporosis, so the general population should maintain healthy habits regardless. This doesn’t mean anxiety causes osteoporosis in everyone—many people with anxiety have healthy bones.

Bone health changes happen slowly over months and years, not days or weeks. If you start addressing anxiety and improving physical activity, you might notice mood improvements within weeks, but bone density changes typically take 6-12 months to become measurable. Consistent effort over years is needed to see significant improvements in bone strength.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track anxiety symptoms (using a 1-10 scale) and physical activity minutes weekly. Note any bone-related concerns like joint pain or falls. This creates a personal record to share with your doctor and helps identify patterns.
  • Set a goal to increase physical activity by 30 minutes per week, as exercise benefits both anxiety and bone health. Use the app to log anxiety management activities (meditation, therapy, exercise) and physical activity together, showing how they’re connected.
  • Create a monthly check-in where you review anxiety levels, activity patterns, and any physical symptoms. Set reminders for calcium-rich meals and vitamin D intake. Track appointments with healthcare providers to ensure regular bone health screening if recommended.

This research shows a connection between anxiety and osteoporosis but does not prove that anxiety causes weak bones. The study used self-reported health information from over 20 years ago, which may not reflect current conditions. If you have anxiety or concerns about bone health, consult with a healthcare provider for personalized medical advice, proper diagnosis, and treatment options. Do not use this information to self-diagnose or replace professional medical care. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.