Effect of micronutrient supplement on health and nutritional status of schoolchildren: bone health and body composition

Objective: We investigated the effect of a micronutrient-enriched beverage on body composition, bone mineral content (BMC), bone area, and bone mineral density (BMD) at various sites in schoolchildren. Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-pair, cluster, randomization study was carried out in residential schoolchildren 6 to 16 y of age who lived near Hyderabad, India. Children (n = 268) were selected randomly from two classes of each grade (1 to 9) and were provided a micronutrient-enriched beverage (n = 146) or a placebo drink (n = 122). Bone parameters such as BMC, BMD, and bone area at various sites and the entire body were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the beginning and end of the study. Increments of outcome variables were subjected to paired t test with appropriate corrections to assess the effect of the supplement on bone health. Results: After 14 mo, increments for height, weight, fat-free mass, percentage of fat, whole-body BMC, whole-body bone area, and BMD at the neck of the femur were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the supplemented group than in the placebo group. Conclusions: The micronutrient-rich supplement increased tissue growth and skeletal shell in apparently normal children in the 14-mo period. It did not increase whole-body or site-specific BMD except at the neck of the femur. Amounts of calcium and other nutrients contained in the supplement were inadequate for tissue growth with density increases. This study raises important questions about the nutrient requirements of Indian children who consume a diet of cereals and pulses

Normal BMD values for Indian females aged 20–80 years

Background: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is presently considered the gold standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). The International Osteoporosis Foundation and World Health Organization have recommended National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III database values for women aged 20-29 years to be followed as reference BMD values worldwide. However, the BMD may differ for different populations. Objective: The objective of the present study was to plot BMD values in the hip (neck) and lumbar spine (L1-L4 AP view) in Indian women aged 20-80 years. Also, BMD values in the 20-60-year-old females were compared with reference American/European population. Result: It was found that the BMD of Indian females was 1.5-2 standard deviation (SD) s lower than that of the reference Western population in all the comparative age groups. Conclusion: It is reasonable to conclude that BMD values of the hip and spine among comparative Indian and Western female age groups show significant differences. Hence, different normals should be followed for each population