Dietary patterns associated with bone mineral density in premenopausal Japanese farmwomen

Because several nutrients are known to affect bone mineral density (BMD), the analysis of dietary patterns or combinations of foods may provide insights into the influence of diet on bone health.

We evaluated associations between dietary patterns and BMD in Japanese farmwomen.

The study included 291 premenopausal farmwomen (aged 40-55 y) who participated in the Japanese Multi-centered Environmental Toxicant Study (JMETS; n = 1407). Forearm BMD was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Diet was assessed by using a validated self-administered diet history questionnaire comprising 147 food items, from which 30 food groups were created and entered into a factor analysis.

Four dietary patterns were identified. The "Healthy" pattern, characterized by high intakes of green and dark yellow vegetables, mushrooms, fish and shellfish, fruit, and processed fish, was positively correlated with BMD after adjustment for several confounding factors (P = 0.048). In contrast, the "Western" pattern, characterized by high intakes of fats and oils, meat, and processed meat, tended to be inversely associated with BMD; however, the association was not significant (P = 0.08).

A dietary pattern with high intakes of fish, fruit, and vegetables and low intakes of meat and processed meat may have a beneficial effect on BMD in premenopausal women.