Objective: To describe bone mass density in a group of healthy 6 to 12 year-old Mexican children by a peripheral DEXA, adjusted for gender.
Material and methods: A cross-sectional study between 2006 and 2007 conducted in 1 965 children (982 male), without any medical condition, randomized from elementary schools in Mexico City.
Results: Changes in bone mineral density in girls show two phases: a lineal accretion (6-9 years) and an exponential curve (10 years and older); in boys these growth rates are less pronounced.
Conclusions: It is considered that optimal interventions to improve bone mass density and peak bone mass should be performed between 6 to 12 years of age.