Bone Mineral Density in Children and Adolescents of the Abay Region, Kazakhstan: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors

Madina Madiyeva, Gulnur Kanapiyanova (), Gulzhan Bersimbekova, Mariya Prilutskaya, Alida Kaskabayeva, Tamara Rymbayeva and Altay Dyussupov
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Madina Madiyeva: Department of Radiology, Semey Medical University, Abay Street, 103, Abay Region, Semey 071400, Kazakhstan
Gulnur Kanapiyanova: Department of Internal Diseases and Rheumatology, Semey Medical University, Abay Street, 103, Abay Region, Semey 071400, Kazakhstan
Gulzhan Bersimbekova: Department of Internal Diseases and Rheumatology, Semey Medical University, Abay Street, 103, Abay Region, Semey 071400, Kazakhstan
Mariya Prilutskaya: Department of Personalised Medicine, Pavlodar Branch of Semey Medical University, TorajgyrovStreet 72/1, Pavlodar Region, Pavlodar 140001, Kazakhstan
Alida Kaskabayeva: Department of Internal Diseases and Rheumatology, Semey Medical University, Abay Street, 103, Abay Region, Semey 071400, Kazakhstan
Tamara Rymbayeva: Department of Internal Diseases and Rheumatology, Semey Medical University, Abay Street, 103, Abay Region, Semey 071400, Kazakhstan
Altay Dyussupov: Rector Office, Semey Medical University, Abay Street, 103, Abay Region, Semey 071400, Kazakhstan

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: Approximately 95% of skeletal size, bone, and muscle mass is achieved by the age of 18, with a rapid acceleration in bone mineral accumulation and muscle growth during the adolescent growth spurt. Bone mineral status in children and adolescents in Kazakhstan is a relevant subject for both clinical and fundamental research. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and the factors associated with it in children and adolescents living in the Abay region of Kazakhstan. The target group consisted of children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years ( n = 509) who had been residing in the Abay region of Kazakhstan since birth. Based on physiological age, participants were divided into two groups: 5–10 years (preschool and early school age) and 11–17 years (adolescence). All participants completed a questionnaire and underwent bone mineral density assessment using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Comparisons were made between two age groups (5–10 and 11–17 years) and based on the presence or absence of reduced bone mineralization. Regression analysis identified four factors independently associated with reduced bone mineralization: ionized calcium (AOR 2099.9; p = 0.007), age (AOR 1.21; p = 0.013), body weight (AOR 0.97; p = 0.047), and green vegetables (AOR 0.46; p = 0.017). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that 50.5% of children aged 5–10 years and 57.4% of adolescents aged 11–17 years had BMD below the age-specific norm. The study identified several risk factors that are associated with a decrease in BMD. These include blood ionized calcium, age, inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables and dairy products, low physical activity, and insufficient sun exposure. These findings highlight the importance of early prevention of osteopenic conditions beginning in childhood and adolescence.

Keywords: bone mineral density; children; adolescents; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; osteopenia; blood ionized calcium (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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