Article

Spinal bone mineral density in 335 normal and obese children and adolescents: Evidence for ethnic and sex differences

  1. David P. Mccormick1,*,
  2. Stephen W. Ponder2,
  3. H. Daniel Fawcett3,
  4. Judy L. Palmer4

Article first published online: 3 DEC 2009

DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.5650060513

Issue

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

Volume 6, Issue 5, pages 507–513, May 1991

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mccormick, D. P., Ponder, S. W., Fawcett, H. D. and Palmer, J. L. (1991), Spinal bone mineral density in 335 normal and obese children and adolescents: Evidence for ethnic and sex differences. J Bone Miner Res, 6: 507–513. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.5650060513

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

  2. 2

    Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

  3. 3

    Department of Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

  4. 4

    Office of Academic Computing and Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

*Child Health Center, Route C-19 University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TX 77550

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 DEC 2009
  2. Article first published online: 3 DEC 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 18 DEC 1990
  4. Manuscript Revised: 12 DEC 1990
  5. Manuscript Received: 9 JUL 1990

Funded by

  • Bureau of Health Professions. Grant Number: DHHS 5D28 PE16038
  • Public Health Service

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Abstract

Spinal bone mineral density (BMD) and anthropometric measures were studied in 312 nonobese and 23 obese black, white, and Hispanic children and adolescents age 5.00–18.99 years. In adolescents BMD correlated with age, weight, height, fat-free density, body mass index, and midarm circumference.

Utilizing the entire group of 312 nonobese subjects, mean Z scores were calculated for comparison versus reference subgroups for bone mineral density index (BMDI, BMD/weight). BMDI was greater for black than for white and Hispanic children and adolescents across all ages studied. Female adolescents accumulated spinal mineral more rapidly than male adolescents. Black males had greater mineral than white and Hispanic males. Differences in BMDI between subgroups could not be explained by differences in body weight or spinal vertebral size. BMDI proved a more sensitive measure for comparing subgroups than did BMD.

The study provides normative data and a quantitative methodology for analyzing differences in spinal mineral between groups of children and adolescents.

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