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The Influence of Anthropometry and Body Composition on Children’s Bone Health: The Childhood Health, Activity and Motor Performance School (The CHAMPS) Study, Denmark

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Abstract

Overweight, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour have become increasing problems during the past decade. Increased sedentary behaviour may change the body composition (BC) by increasing the fat mass relative to the lean mass (LM). These changes may influence bone health to describe how anthropometry and BC predict the development of the bone accruement. The longitudinal study is a part of The CHAMPS study-DK. Children were DXA scanned at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. BC (LM, BF %) and BMC, BMD and BA were measured. The relationship between bone traits, anthropometry and BC was analysed by multilevel regression analyses. Of the invited children, 742/800 (93 %) accepted to participate. Of these, 682/742 (92 %) participated at follow-up. Mean (range) of age at baseline was 9.5 years (7.7–12.1). Height, BMI, LM and BF % predicted bone mineral accrual and bone size positively and independently. Height and BMI are both positive predictors of bone accruement. LM is a more precise predictor of bone traits than BF % in both genders. The effects of height and BMI and LM on bone accruement are nearly identical in the two genders, while changes in BF % have different but positive effects on bone accretion in both boys and girls.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the work of numerous students and PhD students who have participated in the data collection for the CHAMPS study-DK. We thank children, parents and teachers in the schools involved in the project, and we are grateful for the cooperation with “Elitesekretariatet” in the municipality of Svendborg. The study had not been possible without financial support from The Nordea foundation, The TRYG foundation, The IMK foundation, The Region of Southern Denmark, The Egmont Foundation, The A. J. Andersen Foundation, The Danish Rheumatism Association, and TEAM Denmark.

Conflict of interest

Malene Heidemann, René Holst, Anders J. Schou, Heidi Klakk, Steffen Husby, Niels Wedderkopp, Christian Mølgaard state that they have no conflicts of interest and no disclosures.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

Children and parents received verbal and written information about the study. Participation in the study was at any time voluntary. The parents signed informed consent forms. Permission to conduct The CHAMPS Study–DK was granted by the Regional Scientific Ethics Committee (Project Number: S-20080047).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hans Christian Andersen Children’s Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense C, Denmark

    Malene Heidemann, Anders J. Schou, Steffen Husby & Christian Mølgaard

  2. Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

    René Holst

  3. RICH, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

    Heidi Klakk & Niels Wedderkopp

  4. Sport Medicine Clinic, Orthopedic Department, Hospital of Lillebaelt, Odense, Denmark

    Niels Wedderkopp

  5. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sport, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Christian Mølgaard

Authors
  1. Malene Heidemann
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  2. René Holst
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  3. Anders J. Schou
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  4. Heidi Klakk
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  5. Steffen Husby
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  6. Niels Wedderkopp
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  7. Christian Mølgaard
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Correspondence to Malene Heidemann.

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Heidemann, M., Holst, R., Schou, A.J. et al. The Influence of Anthropometry and Body Composition on Children’s Bone Health: The Childhood Health, Activity and Motor Performance School (The CHAMPS) Study, Denmark. Calcif Tissue Int 96, 97–104 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-014-9941-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-014-9941-9

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