Bone density among pharmacy student and their relationship with lifestyle factors and other determinants that contribute to the low bone density

There is lack of data on bone density status among Bumiputera in Malaysia especially in young adult. This study is to determine the bone density among pharmacy students and its relationship with lifestyle and other determinations that contribute bone loss. Bone mineral density (BMD) was determined by using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) at the calcaneal region. Anthropometry, lifestyle habits and family history were also determined by using questionnaire adapted from several sources includes International Osteoporosis Foundation, Advanced Health and Wellbeing PC, Bone Health Profile by Dr. Susan E.B., and Wisconsin Medical Journal. From the study, 340 of pharmacy students were recruited with a mean age 21.1 ± I. 7. 82.6% of the subjects were a female students and 17.4% was male students. Majority of the pharmacy students are Malay, female student, reside in suburbs and falls in lower income group. In fact, 64. 7% of students had normal bone, followed by 31.5% had osteopenia and 3.8% had osteoporotic bone. Year 2 pharmacy students showed that they had highest percentage that had normal bone with 20.3% and 0.6% of osteoporotic bone. Furthermore, studied variables such as weight, height, BMI, body fat were positively correlated with bone density status while gender, exposure to sunlight, milk intolerance and breakfast frequency had negative correlation with bone density. The study revealed that most of the pharmacy students have low background osteoporosis in family, practice active and healthy lifestyle (not smoking, take enough food and vegetable, and drink milk frequently) and they were also not prefer to take supplement in their daily life.