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The effect of calcium intake and physical activity on bone quantitative ultrasound measurements in children: a pilot
Dario Prais1, Gary Diamond, Avi Kattan
1Department of Pediatrics C, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Israel. dariop@clalit.org.il
Insights
Adequate calcium intake and physical activity are crucial for children's bone health. This study found that higher calcium consumption and physical activity levels were positively associated with better bone mineralization in children, as measured by quantitative ultrasound.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric bone health
- Nutritional science
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Bone mineralization in children is influenced by environmental factors like nutrition and physical activity.
- Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) offers a non-invasive method to assess bone status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between nutritional status (calcium intake), physical activity, and bone mineralization in children.
- To evaluate the efficacy of multisite quantitative ultrasound in assessing these relationships.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 67 children (aged 6-17 years) was studied.
- Calcium intake and physical activity data were collected via questionnaires.
- Bone status was assessed using Speed of Sound (SOS) measurements at the radius and tibia via quantitative ultrasound (Sunlight Omnisense).
Main Results:
- Children with higher calcium intake showed significantly better bone Z-scores at both the radius and tibia.
- Children with normal physical activity levels also exhibited significantly better bone Z-scores compared to those with low activity.
- A positive association was observed between calcium intake, physical activity, and bone status.
Conclusions:
- Calcium intake and physical activity are positively associated with bone mineralization in children.
- Quantitative ultrasound is a viable tool for assessing bone status in pediatric populations.
- These findings highlight the importance of lifestyle factors for optimal bone development in children.
Abstract:
Environmental factors, such as nutritional status, physical activity, and drug therapy, can affect bone mineralization. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status, physical activity, and bone mineralization as assessed by multisite quantitative ultrasound technology in children. The study group comprised 67 children, aged 6-17 years (mean, 9.4), attending a primary care clinic. Data on calcium intake and physical activity were collected using a detailed questionnaire. Speed of sound measurements were performed at the distal 1/3 radius and the midshaft tibia using Sunlight Omnisense apparatus. The reported mean calcium intake was 1105 mg/day. There was a significant difference in Z-scores at the radius and tibia between the low-and high-calcium-intake groups (P = 0.004, P = 0.035, respectively). A similar difference was found between the low-and normal-physical-activity groups (P = 0.015, P = 0.036, respectively). In this pilot study, a positive association was found between calcium intake, physical activity, and bone status, as assessed by the quantitative ultrasound technique.
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