Effect That Lifestyle during the Growth Period Has on Bone Density Acquisition—Using Simple Exercise and a Nutrition Survey

Abstract

This survey was conducted with the aim of clarifying and providing guidance regarding correct lifestyle and exercise habits from adolescence in order to prevent the development of osteoporosis. The subjects included 195 Japanese adult females. We measured their calcaneal bone density by ultrasonography, the index of which was determined as SOS (Speed of Sound). We examined their physical characteristics, health conditions, amount of physical activity, exercise history, and eating habits, and then analyzed the relationship thereof with bone density. No significant correlation was found between height, weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), or body fat percentage and the SOS value. Moreover, the bone density among those with a history of exercise was high. Breaking it down, we obtained results such as the fact that exercise habits during the junior and senior high school years had a great impact on the acquisition of peak bone mass, although no relationship between exercise habits and bone density was found during the elementary school years. Furthermore, as the bone density of students who continued exercising in junior and senior high school indicated high values, continuity of exercise during the growth period (during puberty) is believed to have a great impact on peak bone mass. Upon investigating the content of meals including foods which have a positive impact on the bones, "bean and bean products" and "green and yellow vegetables" were found to be related to bone density. From the above, the effect that the lifestyle of young adult females had on bone density was partially clarified. In particular, one factor which had a strong relationship with current bone density was exercise history during the junior and senior high school periods. It was clarified that continuously engaging in exercise and placing strain on the bones during these periods lead to high bone density acquisition.

Relationship between Stress and Bone Density, Using Salivary Cortisol, in Young Adult Women

“…There are reports suggesting that there is no relationship between nutrients and SOS [8] [9]. In a longitudinal study using the DXA method (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) for 15 years from the age of 13 to 28, body weight change, rather than calcium intake, during the observation period, indicated a stronger relation to bone mass change [8].…”

“…There is also a report indicating that a study using quantitative ultrasound measurement methods to compare changes in indices, including when skipping meals, excess consumption of instant foods, smoking and drinking behavior, etc., which seem to reflect lifestyle disturbances, found no association and only finding a statistically significant difference in the item "exercise habits." [9]. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the intake frequency of dairy products, such as milk and cheese, is strongly related to changes in bone mass [10].…”

Discussion on the Relationship between Dieting and Bone Density among Female College Students and the Health Guidance

“…Moreover, more than half of the students had dieting experience, with 31% of those in the normal weight group and 21% of those in the underweight group currently on a diet. In other words, we found a tendency for the number of students with dieting experience to increase as the BMI value rises [9] [10]. However, there is a concern regarding being extremely underweight since the percentage of students in the underweight group with dieting experience reached up to 31%.…”

“…The subjects consisted of 124 female college students. A sufficient number of subjects and average female college students were sorted out from this study in line with other similar studies [9] [10]. Their average age was 21.4.…”