Citation
C. W., Loh and Y. M., Chan
(2008)
Calcium intake, physical activity and bone health status among
Chinese early adolescents.
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 14 (2(supplement)).
S29-S29.
ISSN 1394-035X
Abstract
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between calcium
intake and physical activity with bone health status among Chinese early adolescents. A selfadministered
questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic background, family history of
osteoporosis, lifestyle practices and eating habits; while daily calcium intake was assessed using
one-day dietary recall and two-day dietary record. Physical activity was examined using PAQ-A
(Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents). Height, weight and bone health status was
assessed using stadiometer, weighing scale (TANITA), and ultrasonometry QUS-2, respectively.
Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 15.0. A total of
236 Chinese subjects were recruited into this study. The mean age of subjects was 13.6 ± 0.5 years
old. Mean daily calcium intake was low, that is 573.4 ± 405.1mg. The mean score of PAQ-A was 2.14
± 0.64. Mean weight, height, and BMI were 50.9 ± 11.4kg, 1.62 ± 0.08m and 19.40 ± 3.72kg/m2,
respectively. Based on CDC classification of BMI-for-age (2000), 68.2% of subjects were in the
normal category, 16.1% were underweight, 11.4% were at risk of overweight and 4.2% overweight.
Mean Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA) was 77.55 ± 11.73dB/MHz. According to diagnostic
criteria for osteoporosis by WHO (1994), 49.2% of subjects had normal bone mass (t-score > -1.0),
more than half of the subjects were either osteopenic (49.6%) or osteopototic (1.3%). This might be
due to subjects being in the early adolescents state and their peak bone mass has yet to be attained.
T-test showed that there was significant difference between mean body weight among male and
female subjects. There was also significant higher mean BUA among female subjects than their
counterparts. Pearson correlation test showed that there was no significant relationship between
BUA with calcium intake (r= -0.05, p= 0.42) or physical activity (r= 0.03, p= 0.69). However, weight
had a significant positive correlation with BUA (r= 0.39, p<0.05). In conclusion, female subjects
have better bone health status as compared to males. Although no significant relationship was
shown between calcium intake and physical activity with bone health, these two factors are
known to reduce future risk of osteoporosis. It is recommended that prevention and management
of low bone mass should be focused on factors recognised as determinants of bone health status
among early adolescents. This is to ensure optimal bone health being attained among the young
population in reducing risk of osteoporosis in future.
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