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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
High bone density in young Hutterite children.
Christine L Wey1, Tianna Beare, Kristin Biskeborn
1EA Martin Program in Human Nutrition, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA.
Bone
|December 20, 2008
Summary
Young Hutterite children show higher hip bone density than expected, possibly due to high activity levels during growth. Older children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Bone Health
- Anthropology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous studies indicated greater than average areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in adult Hutterites.
- It remains unknown if this elevated aBMD is present in Hutterite children at younger ages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if Hutterite children aged <15 years have similar aBMD Z-scores to reference data.
- To test if Hutterite children aged >=15 years have greater aBMD Z-scores compared to reference data.
- To identify lifestyle factors associated with bone measures in Hutterite children.
Main Methods:
- Measured hip, femoral neck, and spine bone mineral content (BMC) and aBMD in 323 Hutterite children (ages 8-19).
- Collected anthropometric measurements, activity, and dietary data.
- Compared Hutterite children's bone measures to normative DXA data and analyzed associations with lifestyle factors.
Main Results:
- Younger Hutterite children (<15 years) exhibited higher hip aBMD Z-scores (0.30-0.44) than the normative database.
- Older Hutterite children (>=15 years) had aBMD Z-scores not significantly different from zero.
- Higher physical activity, grip strength, and vitamin D intake were associated with better bone measures in Hutterite children.
Conclusions:
- Contrary to hypotheses, younger Hutterite children have elevated hip aBMD, suggesting early lifestyle influences on bone development.
- High activity during growth may increase bone turnover and size, potentially leading to higher peak bone mass.
- Lean mass positively predicted bone measures, while fat mass was inversely associated with bone area.
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