Analysis of the dietary factors contributing to the future osteoporosis risk in young Polish women.

BACKGROUND

The osteoporosis is becoming serious problem for the preventive healthcare, that is stated for Poland and western countries. The loss of bone mass in women may be even five times higher than in men, so in the osteoporosis preventive strategies, young women are indicated as best potential target group.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to analyze the osteoporosis risk, on the basis of diet assessment in young Polish women, while satisfying nutritional needs for bone health-related nutrients was taken into account.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study was conducted in the group of 75 women, aged 20-30, who prepared three-day dietary record (14% of underweight, 15% of excessive body mass individuals). The intakes of nutrients being associated directly with risk of osteoporosis (protein, potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin B6, folates, vitamin B12, vitamin C) were analysed.

RESULTS

The vast majority (89%) of individuals was characterized by lower declared energy intake than calculated requirement. The majority was characterized by inadequate intake of potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and folates. Only 25% was characterized by an adequate intake of calcium and, while supplementation was taken into account, 10% was characterized by an adequate intake of vitamin D.

CONCLUSIONS

Following diets declared by the analysed young women may be the factor increasing seriously the risk of osteoporosis, as well as the risk of other diet-related diseases. The low intake of majority of analysed nutrients in the analysed group may result mainly from low energy value of declared diets. Taking into account the proper BMI of the majority of analysed group of young women and low energy value of their declared diets, the common underreporting may be sup- posed, and it may contribute to osteoporosis risk overestimation.

KEY WORDS: osteoporosis, young women, calcium, vitamin D, nutrients, underreporting.