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Accuracy of comparing bone quality to chocolate bars for patient information purposes: observational study
Phil Jones1, Sarah Jones, Debbie Stone
1Bronglais General Hospital, Aberystwyth SY23 1ER. phil.jones@ceredigion-tr.wales.nhs.uk
Objective:
To test whether standard information for patients using Crunchie and Aero chocolate bars to explain bone health and risk of fracture is robust.
Design:
Observational study.
Setting:
Domestic kitchen in rural west Wales.
Participants:
10 Crunchie bars and 10 Aero bars.
Main Outcome Measure:
Fracture after falls from varying heights.
Results:
Both Crunchie and Aero bars exhibited the same T and Z scores for bone density. Crunchie bars had a lower chocolate mass index than the Aero bars. Crunchie bars are more liable to fracture.
Conclusions:
Using Crunchie and Aero chocolate bars to explain bone structure to patients may be visually attractive but oversimplifies the situation.
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