title: Variables for the prediction of femoral bone mineral status in American women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A reliable procedure for identifying persons at risk for osteoporosis and subsequent fracture is needed so that preventive measures may be initiated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 7,532 women, ages 20 and older, surveyed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES, 1988-1994). Influences of race, body composition, exercise, alcohol intake, smoking status, as well as the effect of nutritional intake of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, sodium, and potassium on bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Advancing age, low body weight, low exercise expenditure, and smoking were significant predictors for low BMD. Nutritional variables examined were not significant in the predictive models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The absence of calcium from the predictive models indicates the need for re-evaluation of the current recommended intake levels of this nutrient. A greater emphasis on factors such as exercise and achieving adequate weight is recommended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providing women with the knowledge of their risk for low BMD may influence lifestyle behaviors, which may ultimately result in the prevention of bone injury.
authors.affiliation: Sam Houston State University-Health Education, Huntsville, TX, USA. hpe_mab@shsu.edu
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bass
authors.forename: M Allison
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mauromoustakos
authors.forename: Roseanne S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Keathley
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors