Relationships between bone mass and dietary/lifestyle habits in Japanese women at 3–4 months postpartum

Abstract Objectives The relationships between calcaneal bone mass and dietary/lifestyle habits in women at 3–4 months postpartum were examined in the context of osteoporosis prevention. Study design Cross-sectional survey. Methods We measured bone mass using calcaneal ultrasound in mothers who brought their 3- to 4-month-old babies to healthcare centers in Japan for health examination and administered a self-report questionnaire on physical characteristics and dietary/lifestyle habits to those who agreed to participate in the survey. Valid data were available for 1220 women (valid response rate, 97.5%). Results Based on their stiffness score, a measure of bone mass, 70.9% ( n  = 865) of the participants were classified as ‘no apparent abnormality (stiffness score ≥78.8)’ (low-risk group), 18.2% ( n  = 222) as ‘guidance required (≥70.1– n  = 133) as ‘complete examination required ( P  = 0.016). The analysis of relationships between the consumption frequency of certain foods, such as calcium-rich foodstuffs, and bone mass found that women who reported lower frequencies of milk and dark-colored (beta-carotene rich) vegetables for breakfast consumption had a significantly lower bone mass than those who consumed these foods more often. Furthermore, the guidance required/complete examination required group had a significantly lower calcium intake than the no apparent abnormality group ( P  = 0.022). Conclusions These results indicate the need to provide postpartum women with dietary education programs to promote healthy eating habits, such as increased consumption of calcium-rich foods, and prevent osteoporosis.