Eating attitudes and habitual calcium intake in peripubertal girls are associated with initial bone mineral content and its change over 2 years

This 2-year prospective study examined associations among bone mineral acqu isition and physical, maturational, and lifestyle variables during the pube rtal transition in healthy girls. Forty-five girls, initially 10.5 +/- 0.6 years, participated. Body composition and bone mineral content (BMC) at the spine and total body (TB) were assessed at baseline and annually thereafte r using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Nutrient intakes were asses sed using 3-day diet records and a calcium food frequency questionnaire (FF Q), physical activity by questionnaire, sexual maturation using Tanner's st ages of breast and pubic hair maturation, growth by height and weight, and eating attitudes using the children's Eating Attitudes Test (Children's EAT ). Mean children's EAT subscale scores (dieting, oral control [OC], and bul imia) were stable over time. Median split of OC subscale scores was used to form high and love OC groups. Groups had similar body composition, dietary intake, activity, and Tanner stage at baseline and 2 years. Using height, weight, and Tanner breast stage as covariates, girls with low OC scores had greater TB BMC at baseline (1452 +/- 221 g vs. 1387 +/- 197 g; p = 0.030) and 2 years (2003 +/- 323 g vs. 1909 +/- 299 g; p = 0.049) and greater lumb ar spine (LS) BMC at years (45.2 +/- 8.8 g vs. 41.2 +/- 9.6 g; p = 0.042). In multiple regression analysis, OC score predicted baseline, 2 years, and 2-year change in TB and spinal BMC, contributing 0.9-7.6% to explained vari ance. Calcium intake predicted baseline, 2 years, and 2-year change in TB B MC, explaining 1.6-5.3% of variance. We conclude that both OC and habitual calcium intake may influence hone mineral acquisition.