The relationship between bone density and dietary habits during university life

Abstract

With the arrival of the aged society, osteoporosis has become a large public health issue in developed nations.Because the time of university student life is the most crucial period for the substantiality of the bone density, the relationship between bone density and dietary habits in this age should be examined. In this study, the bone densities of the examinees were measured longitudinally by ultra sound bone densitometer, and then, the relationship between these measured values and nutritional values calculated based on the contents of their meals were investigated. We also researched theire ating habits and body conditions using a questionnaire. As a result, it was concluded that maintaining an exercise habit and appropriate dietary habits were very important. On average, the bone density of the examinee on entrance into university surpassed the normal range.However, most examinees should markedly lowered bone density after 4 years of university life. Examinees with high BMI value tended to show high bone density, while low BMI examinees showed low bone density. Examinees who maintained bone density for university life ate a high energy diet, while examinees, who consumed dairy products, also showed a high bone density.