Journal of the National Medical Association
Volume 98, Issue 5, 2006, Pages 746-752

Bone mineral density of recent african immigrants in the United States (Article)

Gong G.* , Haynatzki G. , Haynatzka V. , Kosoko-Lasaki S. , Howell R. , Fu Y.-X. , Gallagher J.C. , Wilson M.R.
  • a West Texas EXPORT Center, Lubbock, TX, United States, West Texas EXPORT Center, Office of Rural and Community Health, Texas Tech. University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX 79409, United States
  • b Osteoporosis Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
  • c Department of Preventive Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
  • d Department of Preventive Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
  • e Psychology Department, California State University, Bakersfield, CA, United States
  • f Human Genetics Center, University of Texas at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
  • g Bone Metabolism Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
  • h Office of the President, Texas Tech. University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, United States

Abstract

Background: Racial/ethnic difference in bone mineral density (BMD) exists. The underlying mechanism is unclear and needs investigation. Purpose: To determine BMD and its relation to environmental exposure in recent African immigrants. Methods: BMD in recent sub-Saharan Sudanese immigrants (55 men and 88 premenopausaf women) in the United States was measured. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model was performed, with total body, spine and hip BMD as dependent variables; and sex, age, body weight, the length of stay in the United States, and milk intake as independent variables. Results: BMD Z score in the spine but not total body or hip in the Sudanese immigrants was significantly lower compared with the normative values of African Americans and Caucasians. Total body and hip BMD was positively correlated (p<0.015) with their length of stay in the United States. Hip BMD was significantly correlated with milk intake (p<0.02) and marginally (p=0.052) with their length of stay in the United States, independent of body weight. Conclusions: Spinal BMD was significantly lower in recent Sudanese immigrants than in African Americans or Caucasians. Their hip and total body BMD was associated with their length of stay in the United States, suggesting a potential role of environmental factors in the ethnic diversity of BMD.

Author Keywords

African immigrants Bone health nutrition Environment Sudanese

Index Keywords

Caucasian race difference Nebraska human immigration middle aged priority journal Time Factors length of stay African American United States premenopause Humans ethnic difference male osteoporosis female environmental exposure hip scoring system Article nutrition adult human experiment Bone Density body weight European Continental Ancestry Group bone mineral normal human Emigration and Immigration Lumbar Vertebrae African Americans analysis of covariance Densitometry, X-Ray Sudan
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33646515764&partnerID=40&md5=9f2abd46a1d9e3b6c20d42491370fb0b
ISSN: 00279684
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English