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Effects of usual nutrient intake and vitamin D status on markers of bone turnover in Swiss adolescents

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 1257–1265 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of nutrient intake and vitamin D status on markers of type I collagen formation and degradation in adolescent boys and girls.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Canton of Vaud, West Switzerland.

Subjects: A total of 92 boys and 104 girls, aged 11–16 y. Data were collected on height, weight, pubertal status (self-assessment of Tanner stage), nutrient intake (3-day dietary record) and fasting serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), and markers of collagen formation (P1NP) and degradation (serum C-terminal telopeptides: S-CTX).

Results: Tanner stage was a significant determinant of P1NP in boys and girls and S-CTX in girls. Of the nutrients examined, only the ratio of calcium to phosphorus (Ca/P) was positively associated with P1NP in boys, after adjustment for pubertal status. 25OHD decreased significantly at each Tanner stage in boys. Overall, 15% of boys and 17% of girls were identified as being vitamin D insufficient (serum 25OHD <30 nmol/l), with the highest proportion of insufficiency at Tanner stage 4–5 (29%) in boys and at Tanner stage 3 (24%) in girls. A significant association was not found between 25OHD and either bone turnover marker, nor was 25OHD insufficiency associated with higher concentrations of the bone turnover markers.

Conclusions: The marked effects of puberty on bone metabolism may have obscured any possible effects of diet and vitamin D status on markers of bone metabolism. The mechanistic basis for the positive association between dietary Ca/P ratio and P1NP in boys is not clear and may be attributable to a higher Ca intake per se, a critical balance between Ca and P intake or higher dairy product consumption. A higher incidence of vitamin D insufficiency in older adolescents may reflect a more sedentary lifestyle or increased utilisation of 25OHD, and suggests that further research is needed to define their requirements.

Sponsorship: Nestec Ltd and The Swiss Foundation for Research in Osteoporosis.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ms Pauline Peres for measurement of the bone metabolism markers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nestle Research Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland

    F Ginty, C Cavadini, M Baumgartner & D V Barclay

  2. Institut Universitaire de Medicine Sociale et Preventive, Lausanne, Switzerland

    P-A Michaud

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland

    P Burckhardt

  4. MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, UK

    G-D Mishra

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Contributions

Guarantor: F Ginty

Contributors: FG was responsible for compilation of samples and data, overseeing sample analysis, data interpretation and manuscript preparation. CC and P-AM were responsible for collection of adolescent nutrient intake and anthropometric data and provision of frozen plasma samples and participation in data interpretation and manuscript preparation. PB was responsible for analysis of 25OHD, data interpretation and participation in manuscript preparation. MB and GM were responsible for statistical analysis of data and participation in data interpretation and manuscript preparation. DB was responsible for supervision of the study and participation in data interpretation and manuscript preparation.

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Correspondence to F Ginty.

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Ginty, F., Cavadini, C., Michaud, PA. et al. Effects of usual nutrient intake and vitamin D status on markers of bone turnover in Swiss adolescents. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1257–1265 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601959

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601959

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