Calcium intake and bone density of lactating women in their late childbearing years

Abstract

Researchers have shown through epidemiological surveys that osteoporosis results in hip, vertebra, or long bone fractures in at least 10% of women over 50 years of age. The primary objective of this study was to determine calcium intake and bone mineral content in lactating women in their later childbearing years. Eight lactating women over 37 years of age were compared with eight nulliparous women to determine differences in dietary intake of energy, protein, vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. Anthropometric measurements, bone density measurements, serum calcium, serum phosphate, and serum alkaline phosphatase measurements were made at 2 weeks and 6 weeks postpartum. Intakes of protein, vitamin D, and calcium were significantly lower in the diets of control women. No significant differences were found in biochemical analysis (except for a significantly lower serum phosphorus in the control group of women), bone density, nutrition assessment, or physical assessment between lactating and control groups. Thus, when dietary calcium intake is greater than the RDA for lactating women, bone mineral content is not affected during the first 6 weeks of lactation.