Relationship among body composition, and change of body composition and bone mineral density (SOS Value) with age in preschool children

Abstract

There are few reported findings on the relation between aspects of body composition including Bone mineral density (Bone strength/SOS value: speed of sound value) in preschool children. The present study examined the changes with age in Bone mineral density (SOS value) and body composition measured cross-sectionally in preschool children. At the same time, correlation analyses were conducted of body composition items including Bone mineral density (SOS value). By the findings, basic data was attempted to be obtained from aspect of the physical growth and development seen in preschool children in recent years. Physique (height, weight, BMI), body composition (body fat mass, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and bone mass), and Bone mineral density (SOS value) were obtained from 53 boys (19 age 3, 13 age 4, 21 age 5) and 49 girls (16 age 3, 16 age 4, 17 age 5) by this measurement. The changes with age in the physique, body composition, and Bone mineral density (SOS value) obtained for the boys and girls were investigated using least squares approximation. For the items that showed changes with age in particular, correlation analyses between physique, body composition, and Bone mineral density (SOS value) were conducted after taking measures to eliminate the effect of age. For both boys and girls, trends in changes with age in height, weight, bone mass, and muscle mass were shown to be valid. However, validity was not seen for trends in changes with age in BMI, body fat, body fat percentage, and Bone mineral density (SOS value). For height, weight, bone mass, and muscle mass, in which changes with age were seen, the effects of age were eliminated. Interestingly, the results of correlation analyses between items showed significant differences between Bone mineral density (SOS value) and body weight, bone mass, and muscle mass (p<0.01), as well as body fat (p<0.05) in girls, but not in boys.