The relationship between calcium intake and bone strength in older Asian individuals, including Japanese, is controversial; therefore, we herein investigated this relationship in older Japanese populations. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 314 participants older than 65 years who voluntarily participated in a medical examination and responded to questionnaires. The osteo-sono assessment index (OSI) measured at the right calcaneus using a quantitative ultrasonic device was used as an indicator of bone strength. The daily dietary intake of calcium was assessed using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. A two-way analysis of covariance revealed a significant interaction between sex and calcium intake on the OSI (p < 0.01). A multiple regression analysis showed a positive correlation between calcium intake and the OSI in males (p < 0.01), but not females (p = 0.27). In females, grip strength divided by body weight positively correlated with the OSI (p = 0.04). The present results suggest that a higher calcium intake contributes to bone strength in older Japanese males. Although a higher grip strength may contribute to bone strength in females, the potential of estrogen as a confounding factor needs to be considered.
Keywords: bone strength; calcium intake; cross-sectional study; grip strength; older people.