Abstract

Introduction

Bone Mass Accumulation

Study Findings

Conclusions

References

Discussion
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During the period of pubertal maturation the accumulation rate of bone mass (BM) increases on the average two to six fold according to the skeletal sites as examined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The acceleration in BM gain lasts approximatively three and four years in healthy peripubertal female and male subjects, respectively. The variance of BM tends to increase during pubertal maturation. A progressive augmentation in the dispersion of individual BM values was particularly observed at sites such as lumbar spine and femoral neck. The acceleration in BM gain with such a marked variability among healthy individuals explains, at least in part, why pubertal years can be considered of special importance for BM acquisition and thereby for the achievement of peak BM. This latter in turn, is an important determinant of osteoporotic fracture risk during adult life. Taking into account these notions it has been assumed that pubertal years would be a particularly opportune time to increase BM gain by modifying some environmental factors, such as calcium intake and/or physical exercice. However, analysis of our data obtained from both observational and interventional studies aimed at determining the relation between calcium intake and BM gain would rather suggest that prepubertal years appear to be a better opportune time than the peripubertal and/or postpubertal years. Recent data from others may also suggest that the positive effect of physical exercice on BM gain would be particularly pronounced in prepubertal children.

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Presentation Number SAbonjour0872
Keywords: puberty, calcium, bone mineral mass, bone size, skeletal sites