The Relation of Bone Mass to Dietary Intake in Female Students Enrolled in The Department of Human Nutrition of Chugokugakuen University

Abstract

Measurement of bone mass of 157 female students enrolled in The Department of Human Nutrition of Chugokugakuen University was performed by the quantitative ultrasound (QUS) method (the measured values are expressed as osteosono-assessment indexes or OSIs) in association with the measurement of bone mass influencing factors such as intake of foods classified by food groups, intake of nutrition and the energy intake ratios (energy intake proportions of carbohydrates, fats or proteins to the total energy intake). The data were analyzed and following results were obtained. The OSI is clearly negatively correlated with carbohydrate energy ratio (r = - 0.234, p < 0.01) and nonalcoholic beverages (soft drinks; r = - 0.256, p <0.01). When the OSI was compared between the high CE group (in which the carbohydrate energy ratio was 65% or higher than 65%) and the low CE group (in which the carbohydrate energy ratio was lower than 55.0%), the OSI of the former group (2.640) was significantly lower than that of the latter group (2.841). There were no significant differences in weight, BMI and experience of exercise between the low and high CE groups. But the high CE group took significantly smaller amounts of animal foods (meats, fish and eggs) and almost nutrients than the low CE group. Intake of almost nutrients of the high CE group was not satisfied recommended dietary allowance of these nutrients. The high CE group tended to be undernourished, therefore, the high carbohydrate energy ratio was thought to be a risk factor for low bone mass.