[Bone mass peak, evaluation using bone densitometry of the whole body in a normal female population in our...

Considerable debate exists about when the maximal bone mass, or "bone mass peak" is physiological acquired. In the present study, 140 normal females aged 15 through 19 years (n = 18), 20 through 29 years (n = 58) and 30 through 39 years (n = 64), were assessed in order to determine their total body bone mineral (TBBM) content, as bone mass parameter, by bone densitometry with dual energy X rays. We did not observe significant differences in TBBM values between the different groups. A positive and significant correlation existed between age and TBBM (r = 0.486, p less than 0.05) in female aged 15 to 19 years but not in the rest of the groups. These data suggest that female acquired their maximal bone mass, or bone mass peak, up to the age of 20 years and that it remains stable until, at lest, the age of 39 years. We point up the importance of achieving an adequate skeletal development in females during their first 20 years of life that could perhaps protect them from suffering subsequently from osteoporosis.