Physical activity and dietary calcium interactions in bone mass in Scottish postmenopausal women

Alexandra Mavroeidi, Arthur D Stewart, David M Reid, Helen M Macdonald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this population-based cohort of 1,254 older Scottish women we found significant interactions between the mechanical component of self-reported habitual physical activity (PA) and dietary calcium (Ca) in BMD, independent of other risk factors. At low and/or medium Ca intakes BMD was higher amongst the most active people. INTRODUCTION: Although there is general agreement that increased activity (PA) and dietary calcium (Ca) consumption may help maintain bone mass in later life and prevent fractures, the amount required remains uncertain. METHODS: In 2001-2003, 1,847 postmenopausal women (mean +/- SD age: 69.3 +/- 5.5 years) underwent bone mineral density (BMD) measurement and, in 2004, 68.7% (n = 1,254) completed a bone-specific Physical Activity Questionnaire (bsPAQ) and a food frequency questionnaire. The bsPAQ measures the metabolic and mechanical components of PA. Interactions of PA and Ca in BMD were examined using ANCOVA. RESULTS: Significant interactions were identified in the BMD of the lumbar spine (LS), right hip (RH) and left hip (LH), after adjustment for confounders, between tertiles of PA classified according to the mechanical component and tertiles of energy-adjusted Ca intake (ANCOVA p = 0.006, p = 0.004 and p = 0.013 respectively). For example, at medium Ca intakes LH BMD was higher by 7.8% in the highest tertile of PA compared with the lowest tertile of PA. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that health promotion campaigns to increase PA would be most effective in populations with a low/medium calcium intake.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)409-416
Number of pages8
JournalOsteoporosis International
Volume20
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2009

Keywords

  • absorptiometry, photon
  • aged
  • bone density
  • calcium, dietary
  • cohort studies
  • diet surveys
  • female
  • hip joint
  • humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • middle aged
  • Motor Activity
  • postmenopause
  • questionnaires
  • risk factors
  • Scotland
  • bone mineral density
  • bone specific physical activity questionnaire
  • dietary calcium intake
  • interactions
  • postmenopausal women

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