BONE STATUS IN YOUNG WOMEN LIVING IN NOVA SCOTIA: SECONDARY ANALYSIS USING QUANTITATIVE ULTRASOUND DATA

Abstract

Background: Low bone mass in young women is associated with a higher risk of developing osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures in later life. Objective: This secondary data analysis aimed to assess the relationship between lifestyle factors gathered by a questionnaire and calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measures. Methods: Healthy young women completed a diet and physical activity questionnaire, and their bone status was determined by quantitative ultrasound. A novel method, the lifetime osteogenic exercise score (LOGES), which includes the duration, frequency, osteogenic effect of each physical activity, and pubertal stage, was used to quantify bone-related exercise histories. Results: Dairy or alcohol intake or hormonal contraceptive use were not correlated with BUA, SOS, and SI. However, participants with high LOGES had significantly higher BUA(dB/MHz), SOS(m/s), and SI. Conclusions: High-impact exercise before, during, and after puberty appears to be crucial for women to have stronger bones, and the LOGES system differentiated bone status in young women.