Background
Poor weight management, inadequate dietary calcium, and excessive caffeine intake is a growing concern among young adults. This study assessed dietary calcium, caffeine intake and body mass index (BMI) on bone mineral density (BMD) of females freshmen.
Methods
Participants included freshmen females (18-21 years) from a mid-western university, free from smoking or dietary supplement use. Two validated and reliable food frequency questionnaires assessed calcium and caffeine consumption. BMD was measured using quantitative ultrasound; Omnipath ® axial transmission technology (Sunlight Omnisense 7000S/8000S) where T-scores of the distal radius were collected. BMIs were calculated using anthropometrics (i.e. height and weight). All variables were statically analyzed using SPSS 20.0.
Results
From a pool of 200 participants, 191 successfully completed the study. A majority (95%; n= 181) were Caucasians, reflective of the university’s student population. Only 12% (n=23) exhibited excellent dietary calcium intakes indicative of ≥ 3 servings/day with 64% having a mean intake of 68 mg/day of caffeine. A one-way analysis of variance revealed there was a significant negative relationship between BMI and BMD (t=5.39, p<0.001), indicating those with higher BMI had lower BMD. No significant relationship existed between dietary calcium and caffeine intake on BMD.
Conclusion
Although dietary calcium and caffeine intake did not affect BMD of young women, BMD was lower among individuals with higher BMI. Given that college students are close to reaching the critical period in development of peak bone mass, continued innovative educational strategies to increase consumption of dietary calcium among freshmen college females is warranted.
