Abstract
To analyze risk factors leading to osteopenia and osteoporosis among young female students. Quantitative Ultrasonography measurements were performed in the calcaneal region of 101 young Saudi females. Dietary habits, exercising and sun exposure were assessed using questionnaires. The association between the different studied factors was assessed by Pearson test and multiple linear regression model. Participants diagnosed with either osteopenia or osteoporosis (>33%.) showed significant higher soft drinks consumption, reduced exercise, limited intake of milk and dairy products, calcium and vitamin D supplementation compared to the healthy group. Multiple regression analysis showed that T-score and Z-score were negatively associated with soft drink intake and positively associated with exercising, milk and dairy products consumption, and calcium and vitamin D supplementation use (p <0.05). High soft drink intake, lack of exercising and limited calcium and vitamin D supplementation are the combined lifestyle factors leading to osteopenia and osteoporosis among young Saudi females. These findings might serve as a basis of nutrition education intervention to promote healthy bones among this population.
Highlights
Osteoporosis is considered a public health problem in Saudi[1]
This aim of this study was to analyse lifestyle factors related to osteopenia and osteoporosis in young female Saudi women, in order to develop specific recommendations to help them develop adequate preventive behaviour
We found a remarkable low consumption of milk and dairy products among young female, which is consistent with a previous study[12]
Summary
Osteoporosis is considered a public health problem in Saudi[1]. It mainly affects pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women for which most of the research on osteoporosis has been based. A recent pilot study among female University students (average age 21 years) revealed that this young population might suffer from this bone health condition[4]. Results of this pilot study indicated that osteoporosis was prevalent among 5% of the participants in the spine area. They showed that the prevalence of osteopenia among this population was 37% and 34% in the spine and the neck of the femur area, respectively. This high prevalence of osteopenia among young adult females emphasizes the urgent need of an early intervention to prevent the development of osteoporosis in later life[4]
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