Abstract:

Objective To investigate bone strength in adults, and explore its influencing factors. Methods One hundred and ninety-one adults undergoing health examinations were selected. The questionnaires about milk intake and exercise conditions were performed, the body weight, fat mass, body mass index (BMI) and calcaneal bone strength were measured, and the relationship between each parameter and bone strength was analysed. Results Bone strength decreased with age ncrease, and was higher in males than that in females. Bone strength of overweight to obese adults was higher than that with normal body weight (P<0.05). Bone strength of adults with high milk intake was higher than that of those with low milk intake (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that age was negatively related to bone strength, females were more susceptible to bone strength decrease, and BMI and milk intake were positively related to bone strength. Conclusion Gender, age, BMI and milk intake are main influencing factors for bone strength. Bone strength decreases with age increase, and increase of BMI and milk intake will benefit bone strength, especially for females.

Key words: adults, bone strength, quantitative ultrasound, influencing factors