The Relationship between Dietary Pattern and Bone Mass in School-Age Children

Early bone accrual significantly influences adult bone health and osteoporosis incidence. We aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns (DPs), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in school-age children in China. Children aged six-nine years (n = 465) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. DPs were identified by principal component factor analysis. Total body (TB) and total body less head (TBLH) BMC and BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Five DPs were identified. After adjustment for covariates, multiple linear regression analysis showed that the fruit-milk-eggs dietary pattern was positively associated with TB (beta = 10.480; 95% CI: 2.190, 18.770) and TBLH (beta = 5.577; 95% CI: 0.214, 10.941) BMC, the animal organs-refined cereals pattern was associated with low TB BMC = -10.305; 95% CI: -18.433, -2.176), TBLH BMC (beta= -6.346; 95% CI: -11.596, -1.096), TB BMD (beta = -0.006; 95% CI: -0.011, -0.001) and TBLH BMD (beta = -0.004; 95% CI: -0.007, -0.001). In conclusion, our study recommends home or school meals should be rich in fruit, milk, eggs with a moderate amount of vegetables, coarse grains and meat to promote bone development for school-age children.

Automated summary

This study investigated the relationship between dietary patterns and bone health in school-age children in China. The fruit-milk-eggs dietary pattern was positively associated with bone mineral content, while the animal organs-refined cereals pattern was negatively associated with bone mineral content and bone mineral density.