Resemblance in dietary habits and calcaneal ultrasound attenuation in malay mother-daughter pairs

The relationship between dietary habits and bone health status was evaluated in 61 pairs of premenopausal mothers and their biological daughters aged 10-19 years. Subjects were volunteers living in Kuala Lumpur. Bone status of the calcaneus was assessed using Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) which measured the Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA; in units of dB/MHz) of the bone. Daily nutrient intake of all subjects was evaluated using a 3-day dietary record. Reproductive history, food intake habits, and physical activity level were assessed using questionnaires. Bone health status of mothers (mean BUA of 98.0 ± 15.8 dB/MHz) was significantly higher (p<0.001) compared to their daughters (mean BUA of 86.4 ± 17.0 dB/MHz). BUA (r=0.30, p<0.05), weight (r=0.30, p<0.05) and BMI (r=0.32, p<0.05) were significantly correlated within mother-daughter pairs. Lifestyle characteristics such as calcium intake and physical activity were not correlated. However, other dietary habits (energy intake, milk intake and frequency of skipping meals) in daughters were significantly correlated with their mothers. This study suggests that mothers play an important role in influencing the dietary habits of their daughters, which in turn may affect their bone health status.