Bone health in Gambian women: impact and implications of rural-to-urban migration and the nutrition transition

Differences in areal bone mineral density (aBMD) between rural and urban locations indicate that urban regions of high income countries (HIC) have lower aBMD and a higher incidence of hip fracture(3). Bone phenotype (bone mineral content (BMC); bone area (BA); areal bone mineral density (aBMD), and size-adjusted BMC (height, weight and BA) of the whole-body, lumbar spine and hip) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) with further characterisation of bone phenotype by peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT). Data were also collected on anthropometry, body composition, food and nutrient intakes, physical activity, socio-demographic characteristics, vitamin D status and 24hr urinary mineral outputs (Na, K, P and Ca).