Physical Therapy Capstone Projects
Bone Mineral Density in College Age Females: Lifestyle Factors and Bone Mineral Density
Term of Award
Spring 2019
Release Option
Open Access
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Committee Chair
Anne W. Thompson
Committee Member 1
Andi E. Mincer
Committee Member 2
Keri Mans
Committee Member 3
Heather Lorden
Abstract
Purpose: Bone mineral density (BMD) in females peaks in early adulthood which means that early lifestyle habits may heavily influence future bone health. If a woman has poor BMD early on in life, her risk for developing osteoporosis significantly increases. Even though this is an important age in terms of bone health, BMD norms do not currently exist for females ages 18 and 19 years old.2 The aim of this study was to assess the effects of lifestyle factors on BMD in females between the ages of 18 and 20 years old, as well as begin to collect normative data for this population.
Methods: Thirty-eight college-age females age 18 to 20 participated in the study. Researchers administered a lifestyle questionnaire and dietary log to obtain an understanding of subjects’ physical activity, contraceptive use, menstrual history, stress level, smoking status, medical history, medication use, and nutrition intake. Participants underwent DEXA scanning to measure BMD of L1-L4 and bilateral proximal femurs. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between BMD and lifestyle factors. Participants’ Z-scores will be used in continued data analysis to determine T-scores to establish BMD norms for college-age females.
Results: BMI, smoking, level of perceived stress, and frequency of physical activity per week significantly predicted lumbar spine and femur bone mineral density (g/cm2), F(4,33) = 4.622, p < .004, adj. R2 = .359.
Conclusions: The results suggest that low BMI, smoking, high stress level, and low frequency of physical activity significantly and negatively impact BMD in college-age females.
Recommended Citation
Arp, Mallory; Boggs, Darby; and Fender, Rebecca, "Bone Mineral Density in College Age Females:
Lifestyle Factors and Bone Mineral Density" (2019). Physical Therapy Capstone Projects. 2.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ptcapstone/2
