Bone mineral density of recent African immigrants in the United States.
BACKGROUND
Racial/ethnic difference in bone mineral density (BMD) exists. The underlying mechanism is unclear and needs investigation.


OBJECTIVE
To determine BMD and its relation to environmental exposure in recent African immigrants.


METHODS
BMD in recent sub-Saharan Sudanese immigrants (55 men and 88 premenopausal women) in the United States was measured. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model was performed, with total body, spine and hip BMD as dependent variables; and sex, age, body weight, the length of stay in the United States, and milk intake as independent variables.


RESULTS
BMD Z score in the spine but not total body or hip in the Sudanese immigrants was significantly lower compared with the normative values of African Americans and Caucasians. Total body and hip BMD was positively correlated (p < 0.015) with their length of stay in the United States. Hip BMD was significantly correlated with milk intake (p < 0.02) and marginally (p = 0.052) with their length of stay in the United States, independent of body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Spinal BMD was significantly lower in recent Sudanese immigrants than in African Americans or Caucasians. Their hip and total body BMD was associated with their length of stay in the United States, suggesting a potential environmental factors in the ethnic diversity of BMD.
Gong
Gordon
G
West Texas EXPORT Center, Office of Rural and Community Health, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Box 45013 STOP 5013, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA. gordon.gong@ttuhsc.edu
Haynatzki
Gleb
G
Haynatzka
Vera
V
Kosoko-Lasaki
Sade
S
Howell
Ryan
R
Fu
Yun-Xin
YX
Gallagher
John C
JC
Wilson
M Roy
MR
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015519:Bone Density; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009329:Nebraska / Q000453:epidemiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D013397:Sudan / Q000208:ethnology; D013997:Time Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data