Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate dietary and other factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean premenopausal women. Seventy-eight premenopausal women who visited the Health Promotion Center for health examinations volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided into two groups according to their bone status as shown by their T-scores: a non-osteoporotic group and a osteoporotic group. The results are as follows: The mean BMDs of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were 1.21 +/- 0.02 g/cm2 and 0.97 +/- 0.04 g/cm2, respectively. The BMD levels of the osteoporotic group were significantly lower than those of the non-osteoporotic group (p < 0.001, respectively). The heights of the women in the osteoporotic group were significantly lower than those of the non-osteoporotic group (p < 0.01) however, their body weights did not show any significant differences although they tended to be lower. The mean daily intake of energy was 1720 +/- 52 kcal. When the nutrient intake was compared with the Korean recommended dietary allowances (RDA), calcium, Fe, vitamin A and riboflavin intakes were lower than the RDA. Their was no significant difference in the nutrient intake of the non-osteoporotic group and osteoporotic group except for the intakes of protein, fat and niacin. Their was no significant difference between the non-osteoporotic group and the osteoporotic group and all were within the normal range. However, the serum alkaline phosphatase level of the osteoporotic group was significantly higher than that of the non-osteoporotic group (p < 0.001). Height measurements showed positive correlations with lumbar spine bone mineral density (LBMD, r = 0.332, p < 0.01) however there was no correlation with femoral neck bone mineral density (NBMD). Age, age at menarche, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and obesity showed no correlation with BMD. The BMD of the lumbar spine was significantly and positively related to the intake of niacin and vitamin C (r = 0.236, p < 0.05; r = 0.274, p < 0.05). Serum levels of calcium and phosphorus showed negative correlations with LBMD (r = -0.698, p = 0.0001; r = -0.503, p = 0.0001, respectively). The results suggested that the BMD of the lumbar spine was positively related to the intake of niacin and vitamin C in premenopausal women. Therefore, this study confirmed that one of the most effective ways to minimize bone loss would be have a higher intake of niacin and vitamin C rich foods and engaging habitually in physical activity may have a beneficial effect on BMD in the premenopausal period.

• Keywords: bone loss; bone mineral density (BMD); body mass index (BMI); premenopausal women