Co-relation of dietary and circulatory calcium on bone mineral density in female population of Quetta

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence and severity of low bone density in the females of Quetta city and find out its co-relation with dietary factors and blood calcium level. Descriptive Correlation study. Two hundred women from all ethnic groups which included mixed population of Pathans, Balochi, and settlers [residing from last 30-65 years] of Quetta city were randomly enrolled in this study. A sample of 200 adult healthy women, residents of Quetta city, aged 20-80 years were randomly selected to participate in the study. Blood calcium level was determined by Blood biochemical auto analyzer and bone mineral density of these subjects was measured by bonesonometer. A questionnaire was used to collect dietary, sociodemographic, age, dietary factors and other relevant detailed information affecting bone mineral density [BMD] status of women. Amongst all the subjects 66 [38%] were osteopenic, 17 [8.5%] and 117 [58.5%] were normal. T-score was positively correlated with milk, [p<0.01] and negatively correlated to age [r=-0.61, p<0.01], junk food and women bearing more than four children. BMD decreased with increasing age and low BMD was found to be more prevalent in women above 45