Abstract:
OBJECTIVE : The aim was to describe the anthropometry, bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), dietary
calcium intake and 25(OH)D3 levels in 11- and 12-year-old children in a peri-urban area.
DESIGN : A cross-sectional, descriptive study in the quantitative domain was undertaken.
SETTING : Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, South Africa.
SUBJECTS : Children, conveniently selected, were assessed in two groups. The first group comprised 70 children. From the 70
children, 20 children were conveniently selected to form a sub-sample (n = 20).
OUTCOME MEASURES : Anthropometric data (weight, height) and dietary data (three quantified multi-pass 24-hour recalls).
Children in the sub-sample additionally underwent body composition assessment (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; DXA
scan) and a finger prick for 25(OH)D3.
RESULTS : BMI and body composition data (body fat mass and lean fat mass) showed that the girls exceeded the boys in all
measurements. The girls had a non-significantly higher BMD and BMC than the boys. The mean and median values for 25(OH)D3
were lower than the reference range values. Dietary intake results showed that the children had a sufficient macronutrient
intake, but a deficient intake of calcium, phosphate and vitamin D. The sub-sample had a mean vitamin D intake of 3.2 mcg.
CONCLUSION : The girls exceeded the boys in all the anthropometric and body composition measurements. The calcium and
vitamin D intake of the children were of concern. There were no significant differences or relationships in the bone
measurements and vitamin D status between the boys and girls.
