Bone, diet and physical activity in a group of Puerto Rican obese adults.

Abstract

Diet, physical activity and bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) were measured in a group of Puerto Rican obese adults, 21–50 years old. A total of 29 subjects, 23 females and 6 males, participated in this study. Dietary intake was estimated from 3 24‐h diet records and daily physical activity level was measured by the Framingham Physical Activity Index during the same 3 days. BMD was measured by Dual‐Energy X‐Ray Absorptiometry (Hologic). BMI was 40.2±5.9 kg/m2, and 39.9±6.7 kg/m2, in females and males, respectively. Calcium intake was 528±146 mg/d and 624±197 mg/d, magnesium intake was 184.6±65 mg/d and 219±75 mg/d, vitamin K intake was 30±20 mcg/d and 17±6 mcg/d, and physical activity index score was 29±2.6 and 31±3, in females and males, respectively. Total BMC was 2325±389 g and 2856±577 g and BMD was 1.164±0.121 g/cm2 and 1.270±0.139 g/cm2, in females and males, respectively. BMI was significantly correlated to BMC (r=0.45, p<0.05). In this group of young obese adults, dietary intake was not related to BMC or BMD. Calcium, magnesium and vitamin K intakes were much lower than recommended intakes and most subjects had a sedentary lifestyle. A larger study is needed to determine the major determinants of bone in Puerto Ricans.This investigation was supported by the RCMI Clinical Research Infrastructure Initiative (RCRII) Award, 1P20 ‐ RR11126, from NCRR, NIH.