Bone mineral density in Egyptian adolescents and adults with short stature: results of a national survey

Little is known about bone mass acquisition among stunted adolescents who did not achieve their growth in height. A national survey was made of bone mineral density among stunted adolescents and adults. A multistage stratified random sample of 2500 families [8476 adolescents and their parents] was selected from 6 governorates in different geographical areas of Egypt. Clinical history, anthropometry and measurement of bone mineral density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was done. Mean T-scores were significantly lower among both adults and adolescents with short stature compared with those of normal height. The predictors of bone status among adolescent boys were age, body mass index [BMI], height attained [z-score] and maternal T-score and for girls were BMI, age at menarche, paternal T-score and z-score. Stunted adolescents suffered from low bone mass density and low stature adults suffered a high prevalence of osteoporosis

Soft drinks consumption among Egyptian children andadolescents

As a part of the national food consumption survey conducted in 1998 by the National Nutrition Institute, the consumption of soft drinks was determined among a sample of Egyptian children and adolescents aged 2-18 years using 24 hours recall method. It was found that a minority of the studied Egyptian children [9.9%] regularly consume carbonated beverages. Mean consumption was 215 +/- 59 ml/day. Consumption was greater among rural female children in the preschool age group, and urban adolescents. Energy intake 'was higher among those in the highest soft drink consumption category compared to non-consumers, Carbohydrate consumption was highest among those in the highest soft drink consumption category compared to the moderate and non consumers. While the mean protein, fat, calcium, vitamin C, zinc and iron intake was lowest among those who had highest soft drink consumption