Prevalence of factors related to the bone mass formation of children from a cohort in Southern Brazil.

Abstract

The amount of bone mass acquired in the early stages of life is an important determinant of its peak and future risk of osteoporosis and fractures. To describe the prevalence of factors that contributes to the formation of bone mass in children of a Southern Brazil cohort. A retrospective cohort study with hospital screening of all births (2741) occurred from September/ 2002 to May/2003 and monitoring of a random sample of 30.0% of these (one, three and six months and eight years old). During the eight years old visit, a questionnaire containing questions related to food and physical activity was applied. Results e Discussion: Of the 616 children studied, 51.3% were male, 70.3% Caucasian, about half belonged to economic class C, 20.5% were overweight, 16.9% were obese and 71.2% were sedentary. As for food intake low consumption of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, cereals and tubers was noticed. Vitamin D administration in the first six months of life was followed by 14.1% of premature, 16.1% of infants with low birth weight, 24.2% of weaned in the first month and only 16.4% at three months. The evaluated children have low nutrients consumption, including calcium, inappropriate vitamin D administration in the first semester of life, little regular physical activity and high prevalence of overweight and obesity are factors that can impair the formation of bone mass.