title: Association between the Healthy Eating Index and bone turnover markers in US postmenopausal women aged ≥45 y.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some studies have reported that overall diet quality affects bone status in postmenopausal women; however, the findings are inconsistent.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our primary objective was to examine the association between overall diet quality and bone turnover markers (BTMs) in postmenopausal women aged ≥45 y by using the Healthy Eating Index 2005 (HEI-2005)-a diet quality-assessment tool-developed by the US Department of Agriculture. Our secondary objective was to explore the associations between the components of the HEI-2005 and the MyPyramid food groups and BTMs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used cross-sectional data from NHANES 1999-2002. Multiple regression models with adjustments for relevant confounders were used to examine the relation between the total HEI-2005 score and its components and food groups and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), a biomarker of bone formation, and urinary N-telopeptides/creatinine (uNTx/Cr), a biomarker of bone resorption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No association was found between the total HEI-2005 score and BTMs. The milk group component of HEI-2005 had a significant negative linear relation with uNTx/Cr. Women in the lowest tertile of the MyPyramid milk group had the highest uNTx/Cr. Those in the highest tertile of energy-adjusted added sugar intake had the highest BAP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results support the ability of a healthy diet with adequate dairy intake to promote bone health in aging women. However, we found that the HEI-2005 is not a good measure of healthy eating for optimal bone health. Further research is needed to develop an overall dietary assessment tool in relation to bone health for postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health and Osteoporosis Programs, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamidi
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tarasuk
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Corey
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D010455:Peptides; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; D003404:Creatinine; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase