Modifiable factors associated with bone health in Malaysian adolescents utilising calcaneus quantitative ultrasound

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 14;13(8):e0202321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202321. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Maximizing bone mineral accrual to attain an optimal peak bone mass (PBM), particularly during adolescence, appears to be an effective protective strategy in the prevention of osteoporosis. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of physical activity (PA), fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), body mass index (BMI), calcium, or combination of vitamin D supplement intake, smoking and alcohol drinking status on bone health assessed by calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in a healthy adolescent population. The participants comprised of 920 male and female secondary school adolescents aged 15-17 years old. Quantitative ultrasound measurements of the left heel were performed using Lunar Achilles EX II, which included results of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS), and a calculated stiffness index (SI). Multivariable linear regression analyses revealed that-PA was positively associated with all three QUS indices in both genders; BMI was positively associated with SI and SOS in females; LM was positively associated with BUA in both genders; and FM was negatively associated with SI in females. These variables accounted for 32.1%, 21.2% and 29.4% of females' SOS, BUA and SI variances (p<0.001), respectively and 23.6%, 15.4% and 17.2% of males' SOS, BUA and SI variances (p<0.001), respectively. Promoting health benefits from physical activity could influence bone status and consequently improve PBM, which is a potent protective determinant against osteoporosis in adulthood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Adolescent
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Body Mass Index
  • Calcaneus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Calcium / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Elasticity
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Malaysia
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • Sex Factors
  • Ultrasonography*
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium

Grants and funding

This study was supported by Dana Impak Perdana (Premier Impact Grant) DIP-2013-002, http://research.ukm.my/, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, to Isa NM. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.