Influence of Health Education and Nutritional Guidance on the Bone Mineral Accumulation in Adolescents

Abstract

The peak bone mass is acquired at around the age of 16 years in young Japanese women according to the results of a cross-sectional study. We measured the bone mineral content of os calcis once a year for 5 years in girls aged 10 to 17 years and in boys aged 10 to 15 years, and provided medical information about osteoporosis and nutritional guidance to prevent osteoporosis during this period. We found that the peak in bone minerals was reached by the age of 14 years or 2 years post-menarche in girls and was older than 15 years in boys. The increase in bone minerals was associated with an increased intake of fish, soybean, fruit, and vegetables in girls, and with an increased intake of small fish and vegetables and consciousness of bone requirements in boys. We suggest from these results that bone measurement and medical and nutritional education are important for acquiring adequate peak bone mass in adolescence which will be one of the most effective ways to prevent osteoporosis in later life.