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Bone Mineral Accrual Across Growth in a Mixed-Ethnic Group of Children: Are Asian Children Disadvantaged from an Early Age?

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Abstract

We investigated the contribution of ethnicity, physical activity, body composition, and calcium intake to bone accrual across 7 years of growth. We assessed 80 Caucasian and 74 Asian boys and 81 Caucasian and 64 Asian girls at baseline and retained 155 children across all 7 years. Ethnicity, physical activity, and calcium intake were assessed by questionnaire; fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content (BMC) of the whole body (WB), lumbar spine (LS), total proximal femur (PFTOT), and femoral neck (FN) were measured using DXA (Hologic QDR 4500). We aligned children on peak height velocity and utilized multilevel modeling to assess bone mineral accrual. Height and lean mass accounted for 51.8% and 44.1% of BMC accrual in children. There was a significant difference in physical activity, calcium intake, and lean mass between Asians and Caucasian boys and girls at baseline and conclusion (p < 0.05). In boys, physical activity and ethnicity significantly predicted BMC accrual at the FN. In girls, Asians had significantly lower PFTOT and FN BMC. Calcium was a significant predictor of WB BMC accrual in boys and girls. In conclusion, our findings highlight the importance of accounting for ethnicity in pediatric studies. Physical activity, dietary calcium, and lean mass positively influence bone accrual and are lower in Asian compared to Caucasian children from a very young age.

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Acknowledgments

The UBC Healthy Bones Study II (1999–2006) was supported by a Canadian Institute for Health Research project grant (20RNO793). Additional support was provided by a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research grant (20R41770). Professor McKay is a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Senior Scholar. Dr. Macdonald is an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research postdoctoral trainee. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the students, staff, and parents in the Richmond School District for their continued support and participation in this study. We acknowledge and are grateful for Dr. MacKelvie-O’Brien’s considerable contribution during the first 2 years of the study. Without the superhuman efforts of Deetria Egeli, who brings these children (and now young adults) back each year—this study would not be possible. Finally, we thank all staff at the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility for their skill, due diligence, and ongoing support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L8, Canada

    Melonie Burrows & Heather McKay

  2. College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Adam Baxter-Jones & Robert Mirwald

  3. Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Heather Macdonald

Authors
  1. Melonie Burrows
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  2. Adam Baxter-Jones
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  3. Robert Mirwald
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  4. Heather Macdonald
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  5. Heather McKay
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Correspondence to Melonie Burrows.

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Burrows, M., Baxter-Jones, A., Mirwald, R. et al. Bone Mineral Accrual Across Growth in a Mixed-Ethnic Group of Children: Are Asian Children Disadvantaged from an Early Age?. Calcif Tissue Int 84, 366–378 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-009-9236-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-009-9236-8

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