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The Effect of Water Fluoridation on the Bone Mineral Density of Young Women

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Abstract

Introduction: Osteogenic effects of therapeutic fluoride have been reported; however, the impact of exposure to low level water fluoridation on bone density is not clear. We investigated the effect of long-term exposure to fluoridated water from growth to young adulthood on bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: BMD was measured in 24 healthy women from Regina (fluoride 0.1 mg/L) and 33 from Saskatoon (fluoride 1.0 mg/L), with no differences between groups for height, weight, lifestyle or dietary factors.

Results: Saskatoon women had significantly higher mean BMD at total anterior-posterior lumbar spine (APS) and estimated volumetric L3 (VLS), with no difference at total body (TB) or proximal femur (PF).

Conclusion: Exposure to water fluoridation during the growing years may have a positive impact on axial spine bone density in young women.

Résumé

Introduction: Des effets ostéogénétiques du fluorure thérapeutique ont été signalés; cependant, l’influence d’une exposition à un faible niveau de fluoruration de l’eau sur la densité osseuse n’est pas claire. Nous avons étudié les effets d’une exposition de longue durée à l’eau fluorée sur la teneur minérale de l’os, pendant les années de croissance.

Méthodes: Chez 24 femmes en santé venant de Regina, on a mesuré la teneur minérale de l’os (fluorure 0,1 mg/l) ainsi que chez 33 femmes venant de Saskatoon (fluorure 1,0 mg/l), sans noter aucune différence entre les groupes par rapport aux facteurs taille, poids, mode de vie ou régime.

Résultats: Les femmes de Saskatoon avaient une teneur minérale de l’os moyenne significativement plus élevée aux tomographies de la colonne lombaire antéropostérieures et de l’analyse volumétrique estimée à L3, sans aucune différence pour l’ensemble du corps ou le fémur proximal.

Conclusion: Une exposition à la fluoruration de l’eau pendant les années de croissance peut avoir un effet positif sur la densité osseuse rachidienne chez les jeunes femmes

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Physical Education, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

    Cathy M. Arnold MSc, Donald A. Bailey PhD, Robert A. Faulkner PhD & Heather A. McKay PhD

  2. School of Physical Therapy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W3, Canada

    Cathy M. Arnold MSc

  3. Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, Canada

    Donald A. Bailey PhD

  4. President’s Office and Faculty of Physical Activity Studies, University of Regina, Canada

    Robert G. McCulloch PhD

Authors
  1. Cathy M. Arnold MSc
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  2. Donald A. Bailey PhD
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  3. Robert A. Faulkner PhD
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  4. Heather A. McKay PhD
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  5. Robert G. McCulloch PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cathy M. Arnold MSc.

Additional information

This study was funded by the Health Services Utilization and Research Commission.

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Arnold, C.M., Bailey, D.A., Faulkner, R.A. et al. The Effect of Water Fluoridation on the Bone Mineral Density of Young Women. Can J Public Health 88, 388–391 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403912

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403912

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