Bone mass in a group of Lebanese girls from Beirut and French girls from Orléans

Abstract

AIM OF THE STUDY : To compare bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of Lebanese girls from Beirut and French girls from Orléans. METHODS : This study included 26 French adoles- cent girls (15.3 ± 0.7 years old) and 24 maturation- matched (15.4 ± 1.1 years old) Lebanese adolescent girls. BMC, BMD at the whole body (WB) and body composition (lean mass and fat mass) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Calcula- tions of the bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) and the ratio BMC/height were completed for the WB. Weight and height were similar in the two groups. RESULTS : Lean mass was higher in French girls compared to Lebanese girls (p < 0.05). In the whole population, lean mass was a positive determinant of BMC and BMD. French girls displayed higher values of BMC, BMD, BMC/height and BMAD than Leb- anese girls (p < 0.05). Finally, BMC and BMD remain- ed higher in French girls in comparison to Lebanese girls even after adjusting for lean mass. CONCLUSION : In this study group, Lebanese girls have lower BMC and BMD in comparison to French girls.