COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN HIGH AND LOW INCOME SCHOOL CHILDREN

• Main Author: syed Mujahid Humail
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dow University of Health Sciences 2009-07-01
• Series: Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences
• Online Access: http://www.jduhs.com/index.php/jduhs/article/view/200

Objective: To compare the bone mineral density [B M D] and associated dietary and physical activity factorsin low and high socio economic status (SES) groups o f children. Design:This is a cross sectional, prospective, descriptive study. Result:The mean T-scores in high SES group were significantly lower at -2.82 than the low SES groupwhich was -2.36 (p- value < 0.05). This is despite the fact that the high SES group had a significantly higherBMI and better overall dietary calcium and other minerals consumption. However, the high SES groupchildren also consumed significantly higher quantities o f carbonated soft drinks and chocolates. The highintensity activities were comparable in both groups (p-value 0.83). However, the moderate intensity activitieswere observed 2.5 folds more frequently in low SES than in high SES group. Conclusion: Lower BMD values were noted in high SES group o f children despite having higher BMI andbetter overall mineral consumption. This could be because of concomitantly higher consumption o f carbonatedsoft drinks and otherjunk food that may hinder calcium and minerals absorptions and sedentary lifestyleobserved in high SES group children.