TY - JOUR AU - M Fourie AU - G Gericke AU - M Kruger PY - 2019/12/04 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Body composition and intake of nutrients associated with bone metabolism in young adolescents in a peri-urban setting JF - South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition JA - SAJCN VL - 32 IS - 4 SE - Original Research DO - UR - http://sajcn.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/1440 AB - Objective: The aim was to describe the anthropometry, bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), dietary calcium intake and 25(OH)D3 levels in 11- and 12-year-old children in a peri-urban area.Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive study in the quantitative domain was undertaken.Setting: Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, South Africa.Subjects: Children, conveniently selected, were assessed in two groups. The first group comprised 70 children. From the 70 children, 20 children were conveniently selected to form a sub-sample (n = 20).Outcome measures: Anthropometric data (weight, height) and dietary data (three quantified multi-pass 24-hour recalls). Children in the sub-sample additionally underwent body composition assessment (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; DXA scan) and a finger prick for 25(OH)D3.Results: BMI and body composition data (body fat mass and lean fat mass) showed that the girls exceeded the boys in all measurements. The girls had a non-significantly higher BMD and BMC than the boys. The mean and median values for 25(OH)D3 were lower than the reference range values. Dietary intake results showed that the children had a sufficient macronutrient intake, but a deficient intake of calcium, phosphate and vitamin D. The sub-sample had a mean vitamin D intake of 3.2 mcg.Conclusion: The girls exceeded the boys in all the anthropometric and body composition measurements. The calcium and vitamin D intake of the children were of concern. There were no significant differences or relationships in the bone measurements and vitamin D status between the boys and girls.The full article is available at https://doi.org/10.1080/16070658.2018.1487614 ER -