SELF-REPORTED CALCIUM INTAKE AND BONE MINERAL CONTENT OF CHILDREN
Date
1998-11
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Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self -reported calcium (Ca) intake and bone mineral content (BMC) in children. Maximizing BMC during
childhood may reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Unfortunately, the validity of self -reported dietary intake may be adversely affected by underreporting of energy intake (EI).
The first objective of this study was to investigate the problem of underreporting of EI in a sample of children by calculating a ratio of reported EI to estimated basal metabolic rate (EI:BMRest ) for each subject. The second objective was to determine whether self -reported Ca intake was an independent predictor of BMC or annual change in BMC (ABMC) in a sample of children. Subjects, aged 8 to 17 years, were participants in the University of Saskatchewan Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study. Underreporting was present, with approximately 25% of subjects having EI:BMRest < 1. Children with higher ponderal indices (PI, kg/m3) were more likely to be underreporters. Among females, age was positively associated with odds of underreporting, but this age relationship was not seen in males. Because of the confounding effect of underreporting, it was hypothesized that an energy-adjusted expression of Ca intake such as calcium density (CAD) would be a better predictor of bone mass than unadjusted Ca intake. Multiple linear regression revealed unadjusted Ca intake to be a predictor of BMC in males in the total body (p = 0.08) and in the lumbar spine (p = 0.03) . CAD was not necessary to correct for underreporting in males, but this was likely due to the nature of the multivariate model used. Neither unadjusted Ca nor CAD was a predictor of BMC in females; therefore, if a relationship between Ca and BMC in females was being obscured by underreporting, CAD could not correct for this. The failure to see any relationship in females was likely a result of the different nature of underreporting in this group compared to males. No relationship was seen between Ca or CAD and BMC but possible reasons for this were insufficient power and/or variable maturational stages. If the higher BMC associated with high Ca intake observed in males is sustained until older adulthood, it would provide some protection against osteoporosis.
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Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Pharmacy and Nutrition