The relationship was studied among the nutritional status, lifestyle, QOL and physical characteristics of female college students. Sixty-five female students from junior college (aged 19-20 years) were enrolled in this study. The height, weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat, arm circumference (AC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm muscle circumference (AMC), and mid-arm muscle area (AMA) were assessed for each participant. The food intake was also measured (3-day dietary record), and a qualitative questionnaire on the lifestyle and QOL (SF-36) were also performed.
The density of the calcaneus in the right leg was measured as the osteo sono assessment index (OSI) with an AOS-100 ultrasonic bone density measuring instrument, and adjusted for age and sex (Z score). Each participant was classified into one of two groups based on the bone density: the low bone density group (Z score<100%, n=20) and high bone density group (Z score≥100%, n=45). We compared the anthropometric measurements, nutrient intake, lifestyle, and QOL score between those two groups. About 30% of the students were classified into the low bone density group. Half of these students (47.6%) had experience of dietary restriction, 23.8% reported meal-skipping behavior, and many had insufficient food. Significantly lower body weight, BMI, percentage of body fat, AC, and TSF were apparent in the students of low bone density group than in those of the high bone density group, although there was no difference in QOL score between the two groups. The results indicate the significant relationship of the bone density with the lifestyle and anthropometric measurements for emale junior college students, but no significant relationship with QOL.
