Bone mineral content of two populations of Chinese children with different calcium intakes

Abstract

Bone mineral content (BMC) of 5-year-old Chinese children (115 children in Jiangmen, China and 128 children in Hong Kong) was evaluated by single-photon absorptiometry at the distal 1/3 radius. The mean (S.D.) calcium intakes of children of Jiangmen and Hong Kong were 244 (46) and 542 (332) mg/day, respectively. The mean BMC, weight and height of Jiangmen children were significantly less than Hong Kong children by 14%, 10% and 4%, respectively ( P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that 62% of the variance in BMC was explained by bone width (BW), weight and regional location ( P < 0.0001). A regional difference in BMC of 0.0303 g/cm ( P < 0.0001) still remained after adjusting for BW and weight by multiple regression analysis. When comparing sub-groups of children in the two regions with comparable low current calcium intake at 5 years, the BMC of Jiangmen children was still significantly lower than Hong Kong children even when potential confounders were adjusted ( P < 0.003). The study suggests that the regional discrepancy in BMC might be explained by long-term habitual calcium intake and physical activity.