6 Feb: Early bone growth linked to future bone density

Growth in early childhood can affect a person's bone density in later life, according to new research from British and Indian scientists.

Researchers at the University of Southampton, alongside colleagues in Delhi, have been studying the links between height and body mass index (BMI) during childhood and bone mineral content and density in adulthood for the past decade.

Their latest report, which is published in the journal Osteoporosis International, focuses on 565 men and women in New Delhi.

It details links between individuals' measurements of bone mass and density in the lower spine, femoral neck and forearm and their birth size and childhood weight and height growth.

The researchers found that a person's size and birth and height growth during early childhood have a significant impact on their bone mass in adulthood.

BMI during later childhood was also found to be linked to adult bone density.

The findings suggest that an individual's chances of developing the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis in later life may be influenced by nutrition in childhood and its effects on their early bone growth.

Lead researcher Professor Caroline Fall, from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit at the University of Southampton, said: "The risk of osteoporotic fracture depends on two factors: the mechanical strength of bone and the forces applied to it.

"Peak bone mass is partly inherited, but environmental and lifestyle factors do play a part too. If we can improve childhood nutrition and that of the mother while pregnant, the risk of bone disease in later life can be reduced."

Professor Cyrus Cooper, director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, added: "This study emphasises the huge benefits of studying cohorts in both developed and developing populations, which permit the opportunity to explore the early origins of common chronic disorders such as osteoporosis."

Professor Cooper is also running an Arthritis Research UK-funded clinical trial to establish whether supplementing the diets of pregnant women with vitamin D makes a difference to the bone strength of their babies at birth and in early childhood.