title: Greater fruit intake was associated with better bone mineral status among Chinese elderly men and women: results of Hong Kong Mr. Os and Ms. Os studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although studies in white populations have reported the beneficial effects of intakes of fruit and vegetables (F&V) on bone mass, limited data are available in Asians, especially among the elderly population. We examined the association of F&V intakes and bone mineral status in Chinese elderly adults and explored the potential mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a population-based cross-sectional study among 4000 Hong Kong Chinese men and women aged 65 years and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Habitual F&V intakes were ascertained from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Bone mineral measurements of the whole body, hip, lumber spine, and femoral neck were made by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Information on demographic, health, and lifestyles factors was obtained by standardized questionnaire. Relations between F&V intakes and bone mass at various sites were assessed by regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Whole-body and femoral neck bone mineral density and content were significantly and positively associated with fruit intake in both men and women, even when adjustment for a range of potential confounders was made. A daily increase of 100 g/kcal total fruit intake was associated with 4.5% and 6.4% increase of BMD at whole body, and 3.9% and 4.8% increase at the femoral neck in men and women, respectively. No significant association was found between vegetable intake and bone mass. The adjustment for vitamin C intake, but not dietary acid load, attenuated the association between fruit intake and bone mass.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater fruit intake was independently associated with better bone mineral status among Chinese elderly men and women. The association is probably modified by dietary vitamin C.
authors.affiliation: Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. Electronic address: liuzhaomin@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Zhao-min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Jockey Club Centre for Osteoporosis Care and Control, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
authors.forename: Samuel Yeung-shan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
authors.forename: Carmen Ka Man
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and the Centre for Nutritional Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and the Centre for Nutritional Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR. Electronic address: jeanwoowong@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables
keywords: Chinese elderly population; Fruits and vegetables; bone mineral content; bone mineral density