Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) predicts future fracture risk. This study explores the development of aBMD and associated factors in Norwegian adolescents. Our results indicate a high degree of tracking of aBMD levels in adolescence. Anthropometric measures and lifestyle factors were associated with deviation from tracking.
Norway has one of the highest reported incidences of hip fractures. Maximization of peak bone mass may reduce future fracture risk. The main aims of this study were to describe changes in bone mineral levels over 2?years in Norwegian adolescents aged 15-17?years at baseline, to examine the degree of tracking of aBMD during this period, and to identify baseline predictors associated with positive deviation from tracking.
In 2010-2011, all first year upper secondary school students in Troms? were invited to the Fit Futures study and 1038 adolescents (93%) attended. We measured femoral neck (FN), total hip (TH), and total body (TB) aBMD as g/cm(2) by DXA. Two years later, in 2012-2013, we invited all participants to a follow-up survey, providing 688 repeated measures of aBMD.