Milk consumption and bone mineral content in chinese adolescent girls

Abstract A cross-sectional study of a random sample of 649 girls, aged 12–14 years (mean ± SD: 12.9 ± 0.6 years), in the Beijing area examined the relationship between diet and bone mineral status. Food and nutrient intakes over the past year were estimated by means of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone width (BW) at the distal one-third and one-tenth radius and ulna were measured by single-photon absorptiometry. Results showed Beijing pubertal girls had a low mean milk consumption (fresh and powdered milk, vitamin D-fortified milk, and yogurt) at 50 g/day (95% confidence interval [CI] 44–55 g/day whereas one-third consumed no milk at all. Mean calcium intake was 356 ± 97 mg/day of which only 21% was provided by milk and milk products. Milk intake varied by region (rural, suburban, and urban: 9, 36, and 83 g/day, respectively, p p p