Assessment of bone health of young female adults and impact of intervention

Objectives: Identification of osteopenia and osteoporosis in young female adults and to assess the effect of intervention programme. Materials and Methods: Target population was young female adults (N=500) taken from five private ladies hostels located at urban area of North Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India. The Bone mineral density were measured and classified as either normal or osteopenia / osteoporosis. Out of 500 assessed, 193 were osteopenic and 51 were osteoporotic from which 50 subjects were selected at random for the further study. A schedule was formulated to collect details on socio demographic profile, diet and lifestyle pattern. Assessment of nutritional status through anthropometry, bio chemical estimation and clinical examination was done. Nutrition education was given to subjects (n=50) who fell below desirable level of bone mass. Due to practical difficulties after four months of regular follow up post assessment of BMD by QUS was carried out in only in twenty subjects and impact was found out. Results and Discussion: The mean height of the subjects varies from 150.93±6.40 cm to 152.32±5.92 cm lower than the standard value suggested by NCHS (2008). The mean weight of the subjects ranged from 50.78±7.71 kg to 52.40±7.77 against the standard value of 54.4 kg. Based on weight 5.45%, 13.8% and 77.4% of the subjects were obese, overweight and normal respectively when compared with standard value. Though biochemical parameters were normal a deficit in the intake of nutrients namely energy, protein, calcium and iron were seen. They are physically inactive with inadequate sunlight exposure. The intervention for four months helped to improve the bone mass.