[Bone mineral density, biochemical bone turnover markers and factors associated with bone health in young Korean women].
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to assess the bone mineral density (BMD), biochemical bone turnover markers (BTMs), and factors associated with bone health in young Korean women.


METHODS
Participants were 1,298 women, ages 18-29, recruited in Korea. Measurements were BMD by calcaneus quantitative ultrasound, BTMs for Calcium, Phosphorus, Osteocalcin, and C-telopeptide cross-links (CTX), body composition by physical measurements, nutrients by food frequency questionnaire and psychosocial factors associated with bone health by self-report.


RESULTS
The mean BMD (Z-score) was -0.94. 8.7% women had lower BMD (Z-score≤-2) and 14.3% women had higher BMD (Z-score≥0) than women of same age. BTMs were not significantly different between high-BMD (Z-score≥0) and low-BMD (Z-score<0) women. However, Osteocalcin and CTX were higher in women preferring caffeine intake, sedentary lifestyle and alcoholic drinks. Body composition and Calcium intake were significantly higher in high-BMD. Low-BMD women reported significantly higher susceptibility and barriers to exercise in health beliefs, lower bone health self-efficacy and promoting behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study indicate that bone health of young Korean women is not good. Development of diverse strategies to intervene in factors such as exercise, nutrients, self-efficacy, health beliefs and behaviors, shown to be important, are needed to improve bone health.
College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Young Joo
YJ
Park
College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Sook Ja
SJ
Lee
College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Nah Mee
NM
Shin
College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Hyunjeong
H
Shin
Department of Home Economics Education, College of Education, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Yoo Kyung
YK
Kim
Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Yunjung
Y
Cho
Department of Nursing, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. j50792@korea.ac.kr.
Songi
S
Jeon
Department of Nursing, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Inhae
I
Cho
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D044466:Asian People; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D001823:Body Composition; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008019:Life Style; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D011859:Radiography; D056910:Republic of Korea; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010455:Peptides; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; D015675:Osteocalcin; D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium
Biochemical markers; Body composition; Bone density; Nutrients; Women