Birth weight a negative determinant of whole body bone mineral apparent density in a group of adolescent boys

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the relation between birth weight and bone mass in a group of adolescent boys. This study included 44 adolescent (aged 14–20 yr) boys. Anthropometric characteristics (height and weight) were measured and birth weights were obtained from the obstetric records. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole body (WB) and the lumbar spine (L2–L4) were also assessed by DXA. Calculations of the bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) were completed for the WB and at the lumbar spine (L2–L4). The expressions WB BMC/height and WB BMD/height were calculated to adjust for WB bone size. Birth weight was positively correlated to body weight (r = 0.37; p < 0.05), body mass index (r = 0.38; p < 0.01), body fat percentage (r = 0.44; p < 0.01), and negatively associated with WB BMAD (r = −0.46; p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study suggests that birth weight is a positive determinant of body weight, body mass index, and body fat percent but a negative determinant of WB BMAD in adolescent boys.