Effect of diet and lifestyle on bone mass in Asian young women

The relationship between bone mineral content (BMC) divided by bone width (BW) and diet and lifestyle in early adulthood were investigated from the view point of preventing osteoporosis at a young age in Asian women. BMC/BW of 161 healthy Asian women aged 19-25 y were measured by single-photon absorptiometry. Current and past dietary habits and physical activity were also studied. BMC/BW varied from 0.21 to 0.48 g/cm2. Bone density correlated well with dietary habit from infancy to the present especially with calcium and past physical activity. These two factors showed additive effects on BMC/BW. In multiple-regression analysis, liking sports, body mass index, no milk intake in childhood, protein intake, frequency of dieting, and skipping meals were contributors to bone density and predictive of 23% of the variability in BMC/BW in the total group. The multiple-regression coefficient was 0.518. Smoking, drinking, and duration of sunbathing might have no effect on BMC/BW in early adulthood.