Lifestyle Factors Related to Femoral and Spinal Bone Density in Young Saudi Adult Women

Introduction: Many lifestyle factors are contributors to osteoporosis; a major health problem worldwide that can be measured using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Aim: To evaluate the correlation between some lifestyle factors and Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in young Saudi adult women. Methods: BMD (gm/cm2) measurements in the femoral neck area and the lumbar spine (L2-L4) were performed using DXA in 101 females aged 20–24.9 years. BMD, T-score and Z-score were evaluated. Lifestyle factors were assessed through a questionnaire. Results: Milk & dairy product consumption, sun exposure, calcium & vitamin D supplements and Exercise had a significant positive correlation with some BMD scores. Soft drink consumption was significantly negatively correlated with all DXA parameters. Multiple linear regression demonstrated that; the factor with the strongest significant association with Z-scoren..femur and T-scoren.femur was exercising, followed by calcium and vitamin D supplements in Z-scoren..femur and by BMI in T-scoren.femur. BMI and animal protein consumption were significantly associated with BMDn.femur. Conclusion: Dairy and milk consumption, physical activity and sun exposure were the factors that showed significant association with BMD parameters. Limited calcium and Vitamin D intake and high consumption of soft drinks are the major contributors to low bone density in young females.