Fruit and vegetable intakes and bone mineral status: a cross sectional study in 5 age and sex cohorts.
BACKGROUND
Evidence is increasing for positive effects of fruit and vegetable intakes on bone health. However, most of the studies to date were conducted in adults, and few reports included adolescents.


OBJECTIVE
We explored the association between bone mineral status and fruit and vegetable intakes in adolescent boys and girls (aged 16-18 y), young women (aged 23-37 y), and older men and women (aged 60-83 y).


METHODS
Bone mineral measurements of the whole body, hip, and spine were made in all subjects by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Information on health and lifestyle and physical activity was obtained by questionnaire. Fruit, vegetable, and nutrient intakes were ascertained from 7-d food diaries.


RESULTS
In adolescent boys and girls and older women, significant positive associations were observed between spine size-adjusted bone mineral content (SA-BMC) and fruit intake. In boys only, femoral neck SA-BMC was also significantly and positively associated with the intakes of both fruit and dietary vitamin C. No significant associations were found in the young women or older men, or between bone measurements and intake of vegetables alone (after adjustments) in any of the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher fruit and vegetable intakes may have positive effects on bone mineral status in both younger and older age groups, especially at the spine and femoral neck. The specific mechanisms remain to be ascertained, but vitamin C, other fruit-specific antioxidants, and lifestyle may play a role.
Prynne
Celia J
CJ
Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, MRC Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom. celia.greenberg@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk
Mishra
Gita D
GD
O'Connell
Maria A
MA
Muniz
Graciela
G
Laskey
M Ann
MA
Yan
Liya
L
Prentice
Ann
A
Ginty
Fiona
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014675:Vegetables
D000975:Antioxidants; D001205:Ascorbic Acid