Effect of obesity and dietary factors on bone mineral density levels among female students in umm Al-Qura university

ABSTRACT

Nutrition is one of the most important factors influencing human health. Also, nutrition plays a role in the etiology of osteoporosis disease. This disease is a serious metabolic bone disorder that often results in hip fracture and is usually asymptomatic in its initial stages. Assess the prevalence of osteoporosis among female university students. A cross sectional study was carried out during the period from 1/1/2010 to 30/6/2010 among a random sample of [257] university female students were chosen from Umm Al Qura of Makkah. The age of sample from 19-24 years old. Data were collected through an interview with case by using a special questionnaire; bone mineral density [BMD] and body composition have also been measured. Osteoporosis was present in 7% of cases while, osteopenia was current in 32.3% of cases. Moreover there was a highly positive significant relationship at level [1%] between osteoporosis induced and each of body fat%, fat weight, and BMI. The prevalence of osteoporosis among university students was positively and significantly associated [p<0.001] with increased body fat. The study results suggested that inevitable decrease in body fatness and weight with less consumption of carbonated beverages, taking into consideration variety and balanced diets and increasing nutrition education programs will improve bone health and nutritional status