The purposes of this study were to determine bone mineral density (BMD) of former female college gymnasts (FG; n = 18) and controls (FC; n = 15) by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 1000W) and to examine the relationships between current and former activity levels, diet, menstrual history and BMD. Current physical activity, dietary intake, and menstrual irregularity were assessed with the use of standardized questionnaires. A study-designed questionnaire was used to assess past physical activity. The BMDs of the FG were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the BMDs of FC for the lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and whole body, even when the influences of current and past physical activity levels were statistically controlled via analysis of covariance. FG and FC did not differ in nutrient intakes, and there were no BMD differences between FG who always had regular menstrual cycles vs. those who had an interruption (> or = 3 mo) of their menstrual cycle in the past. The higher BMD in FG compared with FC suggests that past participation in college gymnastics may provide a residual effect on adult BMD.
In an uncontrolled study, 22 dialysis patients (46 +/- 14 years, duration of dialysis 20 +/- 11 months) were treated with CaCO3 over a period of up to 3 years to lower their serum phosphate. The use of 4.5-9 g CaCO3 daily over a period of 9 months led to a reduction of mean serum phosphate from 2.51 to 1.51 mmol/l in 77% of patients, with a simultaneous increase in mean calcium concentration from 2.23 to 2.47 mmol/l, and an improved control of secondary hyperparathyroidism by reduction in mPTH from 1552 to 1032 pg/ml and in APH activity from 6.25 to 4.55 mumol/s/l. In long-term CaCO3 treatment of up to 3 years, however, a constant effective phosphate reduction could not be achieved. There was a progression (77%) of pre-existing microcalcification and a new appearance (42%) of microcalcification in vessels and soft-tissue areas of the hand. The percentage of patients with soft-tissue calcification increased from 43 to 67% during a treatment period of 3 years. We conclude that CaCO3 alone is not suitable on a long-term basis for phosphate reduction in dialysis patients.
The purpose of this investigation was to describe eating disorder symptoms in 36.6 +/- 3.8-y-old former college gymnasts as well as relations between body dissatisfaction and body composition. Former college gymnasts (n = 22) and age-(mean +/- SE difference: 0.05 +/- 0.26 y), height-(0.47 +/- 0.75 cm), and weight-matched (2.20 +/- 0.30 kg) control subjects (n = 22) participated. Current and past symptoms were assessed by using the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2) and visual analog scales. EDI-2 body-dissatisfaction scores were correlated with assessments of body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Weight preoccupation was stable across the life span for control subjects but was lower before former gymnasts had begun gymnastics training and higher for former gymnasts when they were participating in college gymnastics (P = 0.03). Current levels of body dissatisfaction were more strongly related to actual minus ideal body-weight discrepancy scores (r = 0.77) than to percentage fat (r = 0.50) for the former gymnasts whereas the opposite was true for the control subjects (r = 0.51 and 0.77, respectively). These results suggest that symptoms of eating disorders abate after retirement from gymnastics and that concerns about achieving an ideal body may be a more important determinant of body dissatisfaction than percentage body fat for gymnasts.
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