J Korean Acad Fam Med.  2008 Oct;29(10):781-787.

Effect of Teenage Physical Activity on Areal Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Premenopausal Women of Korea

• Seo YN
• Park JA
• Cho SH
• Han CH
• Lee SY
• Hahm SK
• Park YJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND
There have been many studies on osteoporosis, which is one of the most important cause of fracture in adults. However, whether moderate physical activity during youth confers lasting benefits for bone is unclear. Thus, we are here concerned with the relation of teenage physical activity and bone mineral density in Korean premenopausal women.
METHODS
From March to June 2007, 75 clients who visited a general hospital for medical check-up were enrolled in this study. The subjects reported physical activity for four age periods (12~18, 19~34, 35~49, current) using self reporting questionnaire. And they completed two 3-day food records, had measurements of height and weight, and aBMD assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine (L2-4) and femoral neck.
RESULTS
There was a significant relation of teenage physical activity (especially weight bearing physical activity) and aBMD in both sites (lumbar spine r=0.42, P<0.01; femoral neck r=0.33, P<0.01). But the activity during other age periods was not associated with the current aBMD at both sites.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that moderate physical activity during the teen years appears to have lasting benefits for lumbar spine and femoral neck aBMD in Korean premenopausal women.

Keyword

premenopausal women; aBMD; WBPA; teenage activity

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Adolescent
Adult
Bone Density
Female
Femur Neck
Hospitals, General
Humans
Korea
Motor Activity
Osteoporosis
Self Report
Spine
Weight-Bearing
Surveys and Questionnaires