title: Bone mineral content of two populations of Chinese children with different calcium intakes.
abstract: Bone mineral content (BMC) of 5-year-old Chinese children (115 children in Jiangmen, China and 128 children in Hong Kong) was evaluated by single-photon absorptiometry at the distal 1/3 radius. The mean (S.D.) calcium intakes of children of Jiangmen and Hong Kong were 244 (46) and 542 (332) mg/day, respectively. The mean BMC, weight and height of Jiangmen children were significantly less than Hong Kong children by 14%, 10% and 4%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that 62% of the variance in BMC was explained by bone width (BW), weight and regional location (P < 0.0001). A regional difference in BMC of 0.0303 g/cm (P < 0.0001) still remained after adjusting for BW and weight by multiple regression analysis. When comparing sub-groups of children in the two regions with comparable low current calcium intake at 5 years, the BMC of Jiangmen children was still significantly lower than Hong Kong children even when potential confounders were adjusted (P < 0.003). The study suggests that the regional discrepancy in BMC might be explained by long-term habitual calcium intake and physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin.
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D044466:Asian People; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011884:Radius / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary