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Determinants of bone mineral content and bone area in Indian preschool children

Veena H Ekbote1, Anuradha V Khadilkar, Shashi A Chiplonkar

  • 1Growth and Endocrine Department, Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Old Building Basement, Jehangir Hospital, 32 Sassoon Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411001, India.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism
|October 14, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Lifestyle factors like nutrition, physical activity, and sunlight exposure significantly impact bone health in Indian preschoolers. Adequate calcium, iron, zinc intake, and physical activity are crucial for optimal bone mineral content and area.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Bone Health
  • Lifestyle Factors

Background:

  • Preschool children's bone development is critical.
  • Indian children often face nutritional deficiencies impacting growth.
  • Understanding lifestyle influences on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone area (BA) is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate lifestyle factors affecting total body bone mineral content (TB BMC) and total body bone area (TB BA) in Indian preschool children.
  • To identify key nutritional and physical activity determinants of bone health.

Main Methods:

  • Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measured TB BMC and TB BA in 71 children (2-3 years).
  • Blood samples analyzed for calcium, parathyroid hormone, phosphorus, and vitamin D.
  • Dietary intake, physical activity, and sunlight exposure assessed via recall and questionnaire.

Main Results:

  • Children were shorter than WHO counterparts, with low calcium intake (46% RDI) and high vitamin D deficiency (57%).
  • Significant positive correlations found between height, lean body mass, weight, activity, sunlight exposure, and dietary calcium, zinc, and iron with TB BMC and TB BA.
  • Low ionized calcium (73%) was prevalent.

Conclusions:

  • Optimal height, nutrition (calcium, iron, zinc), physical activity, and sunlight exposure are essential for enhancing TB BMC and TB BA in preschool children.
  • Addressing nutritional deficiencies and promoting healthy lifestyles can improve pediatric bone health outcomes.

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