@article{Videhult_Öhlund_Hernell_West_2016, title={Body mass but not vitamin D status is associated with bone mineral content and density in young school children in northern Sweden}, volume={60}, url={https://foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/1035}, DOI={10.3402/fnr.v60.30045}, abstractNote={<p><em><strong>Background</strong></em>: High latitude of residence where sun exposure is limited affects vitamin D status. Although vitamin D levels have been associated with poor bone health, cut-off values for optimising bone health are yet to be decided.</p><p><em><strong>Objective</strong></em>: To assess vitamin D intake and status among young school children living at latitude 63–64 °N, in northern Sweden and to examine the association between vitamin D status and bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD).</p><p><em><strong>Design</strong></em>: In a cross-sectional study, diet was assessed by a 4-day food diary and a food frequency questionnaire in 8- to 9-year-old children (<em>n</em>=120). Energy, vitamin D, and calcium intakes were calculated. Physical activity was assessed using a pedometer for 7 days. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25[OH]D) levels were analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-mass spectrometry (<em>n</em>=113). BMC and BMD were assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Height and weight were measured by standard procedures and BMI <em>z</em>-score was calculated using WHO AnthroPlus programme.</p><p><em><strong>Results</strong></em>: The majority of children, 91%, did not reach the recommended vitamin D intake of 7.5 µg/day and 50% had insufficient S-25[OH]D levels defined as &lt;50 nmol/l. The highest concentrations of S-25[OH]D were observed during the summer months (<em>p</em>=0.01). Body mass (<em>p</em>&lt;0.01) but not S-25[OH]D was associated with measures of BMC and BMD. Furthermore, boys had higher total BMC (<em>p</em>=0.01), total body less head BMC (<em>p</em>=0.02), fat free mass (<em>p</em>&lt;0.01), and a higher degree of physical activity (<em>p</em>=0.01) compared to girls.</p><p><em><strong>Conclusions</strong></em>: Body mass was related to BMC and BMD measures in a population of prepubertal school children living at high latitudes in Sweden. Despite insufficient S-25[OH]D levels and low vitamin D intake, this did not appear to affect bone parameters. Prospective studies with repeated assessment of vitamin D status are needed to examine cut-off values for optimising bone health.</p><p>Keywords: <em>dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D; season; latitude; diet; calcium</em></p><p>(Published: 3 March 2016)</p><p>Citation: Food &amp; Nutrition Research 2016, 60: 30045 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v60.30045</p&gt;}, journal={Food & Nutrition Research}, author={Videhult Frida K. and Öhlund Inger and Hernell Olle and West Christina E.}, year={2016}, month={Mar.} }