Accuracy of comparing bone quality to chocolate bars for patient information purposes: observational study.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether standard information for patients using Crunchie and Aero chocolate bars to explain bone health and risk of fracture is robust.


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
Domestic kitchen in rural west Wales.


METHODS
10 Crunchie bars and 10 Aero bars.


METHODS
Fracture after falls from varying heights.


RESULTS
Both Crunchie and Aero bars exhibited the same T and Z scores for bone density. Crunchie bars had a lower chocolate mass index than the Aero bars. Crunchie bars are more liable to fracture.


CONCLUSIONS
Using Crunchie and Aero chocolate bars to explain bone structure to patients may be visually attractive but oversimplifies the situation.
D000058:Accidental Falls; D015519:Bone Density; D002182:Candy; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity