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Modifiable lifestyle factors affecting bone health using calcaneus quantitative ultrasound in adolescent girls

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Abstract

Summary

One hundred and fourteen girls were measured for calcaneus QUS (stiffness index score), calcium intake, weight, and total hours spent in physical activity (moderate to high-impact activities and low to no-impact activities). Multiple regression analysis indicated that hours spent in moderate to high-impact activities, current calcium intake, and weight significantly predicted SI.

Introduction

To determine the influence of modifiable lifestyle factors on adolescent girls’ bone health measured by calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS).

Methods

One hundred and fourteen girls, ages 14–18 (15.97 ± .7), enrolled in high school physical education classes, were measured for calcaneus QUS (stiffness index score), height, weight, current calcium intake from 2–3 day food records, and estimated total hours spent in physical activity from kindergarten to present. Cumulative physical activity hours were separated into two classifications (according to their estimated strain from ground reaction force): moderate to high-impact activities and low to no-impact activities.

Results

Pearson correlations between stiffness index (SI) and age, height, weight, current calcium intake, and hours spent in moderate to high-impact versus low to no-impact activities indicated a positive relationships between SI and weight (r = .259, p = .005), current calcium intake (r = .286, p = .002), and hours spent in moderate to high-impact activities (r = .451, p < .001). Multiple regression between SI and the above independent variables indicated that collectively, hours spent in moderate to high-impact activities, current calcium intake, and weight (r 2 = .363, p = <.001) significantly predicted SI.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that moderate to high-impact activities, current calcium intake, and weight positively influence bone properties of the calcaneus in adolescent girls.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Dr. Clay Robinson for his assistance in performing the calcaneus QUS measurements, Dr. Chris Williams and Dr. Teri Rust for their assistance with the statistical analysis, the high school teachers who assisted with this research and, most importantly, the participants. This study was supported by a Lewis-Clark State College faculty development grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nursing and Health Sciences, Lewis-Clark State College, 500 8th Ave, Lewiston, ID, 83501, USA

    M. L. Robinson

  2. School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    K. Winters-Stone

  3. Family & Consumer Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA

    K. Gabel

  4. Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (HPERD), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA

    D. Dolny

Authors
  1. M. L. Robinson
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  2. K. Winters-Stone
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  3. K. Gabel
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  4. D. Dolny
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Correspondence to M. L. Robinson.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest.

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Robinson, M.L., Winters-Stone, K., Gabel, K. et al. Modifiable lifestyle factors affecting bone health using calcaneus quantitative ultrasound in adolescent girls. Osteoporos Int 18, 1101–1107 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0359-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0359-3

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