title: Predictors of Bone Mineral Density among Asian Indians in Northern Mississippi: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) that leads to an increase in bone fragility, causing an individual to be at an increased risk for fractures. Asian-Indians are at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis. Considering the number of Asian-Indians in the US is rapidly growing, they likely could be an underappreciated population at risk for bone fractures. The aim of this study was to investigate bone health and determine the factors affecting BMD in Asian-Indians living in the US.
  
  
  
  Asian-Indians residing in Northern Mississippi (n = 87) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from June 2013 to August 2014. Eligible participants completed a self-administered Osteoporosis Risk Factor Assessment questionnaire. BMD and body composition were measured using a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan (DXA).
  
  
  
  Eight-seven Asian-Indians (male: 62.1%) participated, with the average age being 28.49 yr old (SD = 6.62). Overall, 31.0% and 48.3% had low femoral neck BMD and spinal BMD, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age, percent body fat, and body mass index (BMI) significantly predicted BMD at femur neck (P<0.05). Additionally, percent body fat, BMI, childhood milk consumption, and gender were statistically significant predictors of spinal BMD (P<0.05).
  
  
  
  The findings from this study should be beneficial to healthcare providers that work with Asian-Indian population groups. Health promotion programs focusing on osteoporosis prevention are needed among Asian-Indians to prevent the risk of fractures.
authors.affiliation: DDepartment of Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, USA. vknahar@go.olemiss.edu.
authors.forename: Vinayak K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Nahar
authors.affiliation: Bone Mineral Density Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, School of Applied Sciences, University of Mississippi, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Kyle M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Bone Mineral Density Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, School of Applied Sciences, University of Mississippi, MS, USA.
authors.forename: M Allison
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.affiliation: Behavioral & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jackson State University, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Manoj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Bone Mineral Density Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, School of Applied Sciences, University of Mississippi, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Martha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bass
authors.affiliation: Bone Mineral Density Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, School of Applied Sciences, University of Mississippi, MS, USA.
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Haskins
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, College of Health & Human Services, Troy University, AL, USA.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Garner
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D044466:Asian People; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk; D008922:Mississippi / Q000453:epidemiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013131:Spine / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asian-Indians; Bone Mineral Density; Osteoporosis; Predictors; Risk Factors