Bone mineral density in relation to body mass index among young women: a prospective cohort study

Prevalence and determinants of eating disorder risk among Bangladeshi public university students: A cross-sectional study

Eating disorders among university students have been increasing day by day in developing countries. However, there is a dearth of existing literature that assessed eating disorder risk among this population group in Bangladesh. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of eating disorder risk and its associated factors among university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 365 Bangladeshi public university students from October to December 2019. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, risk of eating disorder, and nutritional status of study participants. The respondents' eating disorder risk and nutritional status were assessed using the validated eating attitudes test-26 (EAT-26) tool and anthropometric measurement, respectively. A cut-off score of ≥ 20 based on EAT-26 indicates the presence of an eating disorder risk. Finally, a binary logistic regression was employed to identify the determinants of an eating disorder. The prevalence of 'eating disorder risk' was 23.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.6 to 27.4). Being female (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.4 to 4.2), aged between 17-21 years (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2 to 3.6), overweight (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI: 1.6 to 14.9) and obese (AOR = 7.7, 95% CI: 1.9 to 31.4) showed a higher odds of having an eating disorder risk in the present study. The higher prevalence of eating disorders in the study indicates that psychological intervention and health awareness programs, particularly to younger age, female, and overweight and obese students at the university level, would effectively prevent the eating disorder risk.

Comparison of Factors Associated with Disordered Eating between Male and Female Malaysian University Students

Disordered eating is prevalent among university students, especially females. Whilst literature suggests that factors associated with disordered eating may differ according to gender, such an association has not been studied in Malaysia. This cross-sectional study aims to compare factors associated with disordered eating between male and female university students. A total of 716 university students (male: 27.4%; female: 72.6%) were recruited in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. All participants completed a set of self-administered questionnaires and their body weight and height were recorded. About one in five of the university students (20.3%) were found to have disordered eating. There were more female students (22.9%) disordered eating compared to males (13.3%, χ² = 8.16, p < 0.05). In male students (β = 0.228, p < 0.01), depressive symptoms were the only significant predictor for disordered eating. In females, the strongest predictor was depressive symptoms (β = 0.214, p < 0.001), followed by body size satisfaction (β = -0.145, p < 0.01) and body appreciation (β = -0.101, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that there are gender differences in the factors associated with disordered eating among Malaysian university students. Intervention programmes that address disordered eating should take into account these sex differences and its contributing factors.

Physical activity and lifestyle effects on bone mineral density among young adults: sociodemographic and biochemical analysis

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the possible role of physical activities, calcium consumption and lifestyle factors in both bone mineral density and bone metabolism indices in 350 young adult volunteers. [Subjects and Methods] All volunteers were recruited for the assessment of lifestyle behaviors and physical activity traits using validated questioners, and bone mineral density (BMD), serum osteocalcin (s-OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and calcium were estimated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry analysis, and immunoassay techniques. [Results] Male participants showed a significant increase in BMD along with an increase in bone metabolism markers compared with females in all groups. However, younger subjects showed a significant increase in BMD, OC, BAP, and calcium compared with older subjects. Osteoporosis was more common in older subjects linked with abnormal body mass index and waist circumference. Bone metabolism markers correlated positively with BMD, physically activity and negatively with osteoporosis in all stages. Also, moderate to higher calcium and milk intake correlated positively with higher BMD. However, low calcium and milk intake along with higher caffeine, and carbonated beverage consumption, and heavy cigarette smoking showed a negative effect on the status of bone mineral density. Stepwise regression analysis showed that life style factors including physical activity and demographic parameters explained around 58-69.8% of the bone mineral density variation in young adults especially females. [Conclusion] body mass index, physical activity, low calcium consumption, and abnormal lifestyle have role in bone mineral density and prognosis of osteoporosis in young adults.

The direct effect of specific training and walking on bone metabolic markers in young adults with peak bone mass

As a prevention, a physically active lifestyle including the performance of weight-bearing exercises is important to enhance and maintain bone mineral content. Fifty young women were selected for the study. Twenty-five women carried out a specific training directed by a physiotherapist in the training group (TG), while 25 women were walking for 60 minutes in the control group (CG). Total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP and BALP) and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide (CTX) levels were measured at the beginning and at the end of exercise. The most remarkable change was seen in CTX levels (TG -28.89%, p < 0.001; CG -52.54%, p < 0.001), and there was also a significant difference in the values of CTX between TG and CG (p = 0.012). Therefore, walking more significantly reduced the level of CTX than special exercise. The decrease of BALP in TG was considerable but not significant (TG -4.63%, p = 0.091), while BALP levels dropped significantly in CG (-7.65%, p = 0.011), and there was a non-significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.22). Regarding the ALP level, a significant reduction was detected in TG and CG (-6.84%, p < 0.001 vs. -4.57%, p < 0.001). This study reveals that the 60-minute, middle-intensity training and the brisk walking have an immediate effect on bone metabolic markers.

Total and femoral neck bone mineral density and physical activity in a sample of men and women

Physical activity (PA), total body fat (TBF), and lean body mass (LBM) are associated with bone mineral density (BMD). However, the independent influence of PA on BMD, while controlling for body composition is not understood as well and is the purpose of the current study. Whole-body BMD (g·cm⁻²), femoral neck BMD (g·cm⁻²), TBF (kg), and LBM (kg) were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. PA levels (total, work, sport, non-sport) were estimated using the Baecke questionnaire. General linear models determined the independent effects of PA on BMD (whole-body and femoral neck), with adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, menopausal status (as appropriate), LBM, and TBF. These associations were also examined by sex and age group (20-34, 35-49, and 50-64 years). The sample included 802 adults (65% women; 13% African American) from the Pennington Center Longitudinal Study that were 20 to 64 years of age (mean ± SD: 46.9 ± 11.0 years). Higher sports scores were associated with higher femoral neck BMD in the total group, men and women, and in 20- to 34-year-olds and 35- to 49-year-olds, but not significant in those 50-64 years of age. Similar significant associations were found for sports score with total body BMD; however, this relationship was not significant for women or for those 50-64 years of age. Total PA had inconsistent relationships with both femoral neck BMD and total body BMD. Higher levels of sport-related PA are associated with higher femoral neck BMD; however, these relationships vary by PA domain and site of BMD measurement.

Association between sleep duration and bone mineral density in Chinese women

BACKGROUND

Short sleep duration has been found to be closely related to several endocrine and metabolic dysfunctions. However, evidence of the association between insufficient sleep and bone health was limited.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was aimed to examine the relationships between sleep duration and bone mineral density (BMD) in Chinese women.

METHODS

Six hundred and two women aged 18-80 years were analyzed. Sleep duration was collapsed to form categories of 5h or less, 6h, 7h, 8h, and 9h or more. Total and regional BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationships between sleep duration categories and BMD.

RESULTS

Women with a short sleeping duration were more likely to have lower total and all body regional BMD after adjusting for potential covariates (all p values for trend <0.05). Compared to those who slept 8h, individuals who slept 5h or less and 6h had significant lower total and regional BMD (β coefficients ranged -0.07 to -0.11, all p<0.05). When further divided women into 18-44 years old and 45 years or older groups, and reran the regression models, the significant associations between BMD and sleep duration were only observed in 45 years or older group.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant variations in total and regional BMD with sleep duration were observed in women. Decreased sleep duration closely associated with lower BMD, especially in middle-age and elderly women. These findings may lead to the development of better preventive approaches to osteoporosis in women through identification of potential modifiable risk factors.

Determinants of bone mineral density in Chinese-American women

SUMMARY

Few data are available regarding bone mineral density (BMD) and its determinants among Chinese Americans. We identified determinants of BMD among 359 Chinese-American women in order to identify risk factors for low BMD in this burgeoning population. BMD in Chinese-American women is influenced by a number of factors, including immigration.

INTRODUCTION

Osteoporosis and low BMD are common among Chinese women, including Chinese Americans, who are a growing population at risk for osteoporosis in the US. Few data are available regarding BMD and its determinants among Chinese-American women.

METHODS

In this study, we examined predictors of BMD in 359 ambulatory Chinese-American women, ages 20-90, using stepwise multiple regression analysis. Variables in the model included age, weight, height, menarche age, years since menopause, immigration age, years in US, percentage of life in US, number of pregnancies, oral contraceptive use, family history of osteoporosis, family history of hip fracture, daily calcium intake, exercise, time outdoors, alcohol consumption and tobacco use.

RESULTS

Among premenopausal women, weight was the strongest predictor of BMD, accounting for 10.5% of the variance at the lumbar spine (LS), 15.2% at the total hip (TH) and 16.6% at the femoral neck (FN). Time outdoors was also a positive predictor of BMD (1.4% at LS, 2.8% at TH and 1.6% at FN), while family history of osteoporosis (1.4% at TH) and age (3.7% at FN) were negative predictors. Among postmenopausal women, greater BMD at the LS and TH was associated with greater weight and earlier immigration age. Weight accounted for 16.4% of the variance at the LS and 19.8% at the TH; immigration age accounted for 3.1% of the variance at the LS and 4.1% at the TH. At the FN, years since menopause and weight were predictors of BMD, accounting for 14.4% and 8.7% of the variance, respectively. While older age at immigration had a negative effect on BMD, years in and proportion of life in the United States were not significant predictors of BMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone mineral density in Chinese-American women is influenced by a number of biological and lifestyle factors, including immigration. The results of this study provide new insights into risk factors for low bone density as they relate to environmental determinants in the growing population of Chinese-American women.